Man to stand trial over the murder of Richard Miskelly in Newtownards

By Paul Higgins

A Newtownards man was today (thurs) ordered to stand trial accused of murder. 

Wearing a white open necked shirt and black suit while standing handcuffed in the dock of the town's Magistrates Court, 20-year-old Rhys Magee confirmed that he was aware of the three charges against him and that he had no objections to the Preliminary Enquiry, the legal step necessary to have a case referred to the Crown Court. 

As a number of women wept silently in the packed public gallery, the charges were read to Magee accusing him of the murder of Richard Miskelly on 26 February this year. 

As well as the murder Magee, currently in custody but with an address at the Carrowdore Road, faces two charges of perverting the course of justice by telling a witness "you got home an hour before me and you didn't see anything" and by giving police a "false account surrounding the death of Richard Miskelly."

He was attacked at a house on the Bangor Road in Newtownards during the early hours and tragically died at the roadside.

Previous courts have heard that Magee told cops he tried to resuscitate his alleged victim and had helped the emergency services when they arrived at the scene. 

It has been alleged that Mr Miskelly and his friend had been asked to leave the house on the Bangor Road in the early hours of Sunday but that as they left they were allegedly pursued and attacked.

When the charge was put to him in police custody, Magee is reported to have declared: "I did not murder Richard Miskelly and I'm very sorry for his family."

In court today (thurs) a prosecuting lawyer submitted there is a Prima Facie case against Magee, a submission with defence solicitor Ciaran Shields took no issue with. 

The court clerk told Magee, who appeared in court in person for the first time since his initial remand, he had the right to comment in the charges, give evidence himself or call witnesses but when asked if he wished to do so, Magee replied "not at this stage."

Returning the case to Downpatrick Crown Court and granting legal aid for two counsel, District Judge Mark Hamill remanded Magee back into custody to appear at the higher court for his arraignment on October 5.