McCauley murder: Withheld information

Charles Buckingham, of Nash Court Gardens, Margate, Kent, faces three charges of withholding information concerning an arrestable offence, namely murder and grievous bodily harm with intent on December 16, last year.

An investigating officer told Londonderry Magistrates’ Court he believed he could connect Buckingham to the charges.

A defence barrister said there was an issue with the connection in this case and whether the court had jurisdiction to hear it.

He said the “crown evidence was that he [Buckingham] was in a car with a man called Gillen who told him of his involvement in a murder”.

The barrister claimed this conversation took place in Scotland and his client remained in either England or Scotland until his arrest.

District Judge Barney McElholm said the issue then was “if an offence was committed, where it was committed?”.

Buckingham, who is a director of a large company, was released on bail and banned from having any contact with Piper John McClements or Matthew Gillen. These two men are currently before the court charged with the murder of 38-year-old Paul McCauley.

Mr McCauley died last June, nine years after he was attacked at a barbecue at Chapel Road in 2006.

Buckingham’s case was adjourned until June 8 and he was excused from attending.