Murder accused meant to kill himself

THE man accused of killing Coleraine woman, Marion Millican has said that he meant to kill himself.

Mrs Millican (51) was shot dead at a launderette in Portstewart earlier this year.

Fred McClenaghan of Broad Street in Magherafelt is charged with her murder.

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Prosecutors told a court that Mr McClenaghan claimed her death was accidental.

The court was told the mother-of-four had been in a relationship with her alleged killer which ended months earlier.

Crown counsel Philip Henry said the accused was interviewed 14 times without speaking.

However, at one stage he provided a statement saying: “It was my intention to kill myself on Friday March 11 and that Marion would witness my suicide.”

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It added: “I did not intend to kill Marion. I did not intend to harm Marion.

“Marion’s death was an accident and I am truly sorry.”

The details emerged as Mr McClenaghan sought compassionate bail to attend the funeral of his grandmother.

Opposing his application, Mr Henry claimed he was capable of “extreme volatility”.

Mr Justice Hart accepted the relationship between the accused and his grandmother was close enough to qualify for compassionate release.

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But refusing bail, he said: “I have to have regard to the circumstances surrounding the offence itself, because they clearly demonstrate a degree of pre-meditation that is deeply disturbing.”

Prosecution concerns about potential interference with witnesses was also taken into account, with Mr Justice Hart concluding it would be inappropriate to release McClenaghan.

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