Spiers murder accused banned from Northern Ireland

Francis McCormick was told he must stay at an address in Manchester, during a High Court bail hearing last Thursday.

A prosecuting lawyer said some witnesses "have a perceived fear of the applicant and his associates".

However, she said there had been no direct or indirect intimidation.

31-year old, Mr McCormick, of Cappaghmore Manor in Portstewart, denies murder, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray.

Three other men face affray charges.

Crown counsel Fiona O'Kane said 28-year-old Mr Spiers had gone to Bar 7 with friends on December 13. It was alleged one of them was approached and assaulted by McCormick when he went outside for a cigarette.

According to the prosecution Mr Spiers intervened and was then knocked to the ground.

Preliminary findings from a post-mortem examination indicated the victim had suffered injuries consistent with being kicked to the head, the court was told.

A number of eye-witnesses reported seeing a man kicking and punching another man on the ground, although Mr McCormick was not picked out at identity parades.

Mrs O'Kane said the investigation was ongoing, with police still hoping to arrest one known suspect. She said Mr McCormick may have disposed of some evidence, based on a statement that he returned home without his T-shirt.

"Police believe it was disposed of because it was seen to be ripped and possibly bloody," the barrister said.

Defence barrister Francis Rafferty said his client's case was he had only fought with Mr Spiers' friend that night.

He said: "There had been previous comments made in relation to a former relationship, I believe a lady that had been common to both parties."

Mr Rafferty argued that no prosecution witnesses had identified Mr McCormick as attacking the murder victim.

He added that when the accused was pulled away from the friend, Mr Spiers was already on the ground.

Lord Justice Coghlin was told Mr McCormick's boss, who had travelled over from Manchester, was prepared to put up a 10,000 cash surety to secure his release.

The judge ruled that the risks in the case could be balanced with appropriate conditions. He ordered the money to be lodged in court and directed that the accused was to live in England and report to police there five times a week.

Lord Justice Coghlin added: "He is not to enter Northern Ireland under any circumstances save to attend court remands or to consult with a solicitor."