By Jonathan McCambridge (PA)
A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a man whose remains were found in a Co Tyrone reservoir.
During a brief hearing at Strabane Magistrates’ Court, Stephen Eugene McCourt, from McGartland Terrace, Dromore, was charged with murdering Damien Heagney between December 30 2021 and January 6 2022.
When asked if he understood the charge, the 39-year-old replied “yes”.
A PSNI detective inspector told the court he could connect the accused to the charge.
There was no application for bail and McCourt was remanded in custody until November 2.
A murder investigation was launched after the remains of Mr Heagney were recovered from a reservoir in Cappagh, Co Tyrone, in August.
The 47-year-old, from Cookstown, was last seen in Dromore on New Year’s Eve in 2021.
Police searching for the remains of Damien Heagney
Investigation into ‘missing’ notes from key Executive meeting
Teenage girl killed in road crash named as Kamile Vaicikonyte
Covid-19 inquiry ‘an opportunity for candour’ from Stormont leaders
UK and Irish ministers to meet amid row over migration
Three men set to go on trial for murder of journalist Lyra McKee