McClenaghan pleads guilty to manslaughter of Marion Millican

Fred McClenaghan’s trial at Belfast Crown Court had to be adjourned for a time for the prosecution “to consider the plea”.

McClenaghan, from Broad Street, was due to go on trial for murdering the mother of four by shooting her with a shotgun as she sat having lunch with a friend in the Portstewart laundrette she had worked on March 11, 2011.

However, after being put “in charge” of the jury of eight women and four men, defence QC John McCrudden asked for McClenaghan to be rearraigned.

When the murder charge was put to him again, he replied: “Not guilty to murder, but guilty to manslaughter”.

Prosecution QC, Richard Weir, said that he would need a “little time” given McClenaghan’s plea as “there are certain matters that need to be looked at”.

Trial judge Mr Justice Treacy told the jury that adjournments of this nature were normal in cases, but it was hoped to re-start the case either shortly before or just after lunch.