Teen bailed on unlawful killing charge

19-year-old Sean William Doherty, of Limestone Road, Magilligan, is charged with the unlawful killing of 39-year-old local man Gary Butcher on July 3. Mr Butcher died after a disturbance at a pub on the Seacoast Road. An investigating officer told the court that Mr Butcher had been punched once in the face and had died at the scene. The court also heard that Doherty had left the bar and was stopped by police a short time later and was cautioned - to which he said: " That will do. Is he dead?"

The officer said that, during interviews, Doherty admitted punching Mr Butcher and said he had intervened in a row between Mr Butcher and his father. The officer told the court there was an ongoing dispute between the two families over a land deal. Objecting to bail, the investigating officer said police had fears the teenager would commit further offences and would interfere with witnesses. Defence solicitor Denis Maloney said that the deceased was a neighbour, a friend and someone the family had socialised with.

He said they had left the area following the tragic incident. He said the family had passed on their sympathies via clergy and neighbours and that Doherty had been frank and cooperative with police. Granting bail, District judge Barney McElholm said it was a "very sad and tragic incident." Doherty was released on his own bail of 5,000 to live at an address handed into court. The Judge also ordered two sureties of 1, 000 each and a ban on the teen consuming alcohol or entering licensed premises. Doherty was also ordered to have no contact with witnesses or any member of the Butcher family, to abide by a curfew and to stay out of the Magilligan area.

Doherty also has to report to a police station twice daily. He will appear in court again on August 15.