McDaid witnesses in fear, court told

Detective Constable Lamont was speaking at a bail application for Jonathan Norman Sterling, who is charged with threatening to harm a female witness to the murder and making threats to kill her.

Sterling (21) of Windyhall Park is alleged to have approached the witness and her mother outside DHSS offices in Coleraine on 29 June this year.

Opposing the bail application at North Antrim Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, the Detective Constable told the court that police believed there was a likelihood of further interference with witnesses in the murder investigation.

He said: "Our main concern is the intimidation of witnesses. Police believe that there are still a number of witnesses to the murder that will come forward."

The officer was opposed a bail address in Coleraine, at the defendant's grandfather's home in Windyhall, but agreed to bail the defendant to an address in Ballymena.

Sterling's barrister, Mr Smith added: "These are unique circumstances.

"There are two defendants, one charged with attempted murder, the other with affray, who currently reside in Windyhall.

"This defendant has never been spoken to in relation to murder of Kevin McDaid. He came into contact with these two women at the benefits office, it was the co-accused that made the threats."

The officer responded by saying that the Windyhall address was only 2.3 miles from the murder scene and that police had concerns about the address following an incident the previous year.

A spokesperson for the PPS added: "There are heightened tensions in the area.

"This man would be going to stay with a sick grandfather, who possibly couldn't control him, therefore the address is not suitable."

District Judge, Richard Wilson, granted Sterling bail to an address in Ballymena and warned him not to be in contact with any witnesses in the murder investigation.

The terms of his bail also require him to make his mobile phone available to police if they think it is appropriate.