Disabled Co Tyrone man faces charges linked to boxing weigh-in shooting

A disabled Co Tyrone man allegedly played a central part in events surrounding a Dublin murder that sparked a gangland feud, a court heard on Monday.
Pacemaker belfast 09/02/2016
Flowers left by friends and family of murdered man David Byrne. He was shot dead at the Regency Hotel last Friday at a boxing weigh in.
Photo Colm Lenaghan/pacemaker pressPacemaker belfast 09/02/2016
Flowers left by friends and family of murdered man David Byrne. He was shot dead at the Regency Hotel last Friday at a boxing weigh in.
Photo Colm Lenaghan/pacemaker press
Pacemaker belfast 09/02/2016 Flowers left by friends and family of murdered man David Byrne. He was shot dead at the Regency Hotel last Friday at a boxing weigh in. Photo Colm Lenaghan/pacemaker press

Kevin Murray, 46, appeared before a judge in Belfast as part of attempts to have him extradited to face charges linked to the shooting of David Byrne at a boxing weigh-in.

He was detained at his home in Townsend Street, Strabane on Monday evening under a European Arrest Warrant issued by authorities in the Irish Republic.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Murray has been remanded in custody until Friday, when a decision is expected on his application for bail.

He is wanted in connection with the fatal gun attack at the Regency Hotel in Dublin on February 5.

Byrne, a 34-year-old father of two from the Crumlin area, was shot dead when masked men dressed as Garda officers opened fire with automatic guns.

His killing ignited a deadly feud between members of the rival Kinahan and Hutch gangs.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Murray is being sought in connection with alleged offences of murder, possession of a firearm with intent, and possession of a firearm in suspicious circumstances.

Leaning heavily on a walking frame, he made his way into the dock at Belfast Recorder’s Court with help from a prison guard.

Dressed in a mustard coloured T-shirt and jeans, the bearded and bespectacled wanted man showed little emotion during the hearing.

His barrister, Desmond Fahy, confirmed Murray does not consent to extradition.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Opposing bail, Stephen Ritchie, for the Dublin High Court judge who issued the warrant, confirmed the process was connected to David Byrne’s murder.

“There were a number of people involved,” he said.

“This man (Murray) is alleged to have played a central part in the events.”

He argued there was a flight risk, despite the requested person’s frailties. Murray has only lived at his current address for a month, he added.

“One can see there’s an element of disability with this man, but nonetheless that does not mean he couldn’t be removed from the jurisdiction with the assistance of others.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Fahy countered that his client’s health has deteriorated since last December, leaving him unable to walk without assistance.

Murray is awaiting the results of MRI scans carried out amid concerns he is developing multiple sclerosis, the court heard.

Judge Smyth was also told he has continued to live openly in Strabane, despite being subjected to significant media attention since February.

The court heard his legal representatives made contact with the Northern Ireland Office amid concerns for his personal security.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Following contact with the Garda on May 27 the requested person, via his solicitor, made it clear to the PSNI that if an identification procedure was envisaged or requested he would consent to that taking place in this jurisdiction,” Mr Fahy said.

He also revealed that Murray’s family were prepared to put up a £10,000 cash surety to secure his release.

Following submissions, the judge ordered a medical report to be produced by Friday.

She remanded Murray in custody to be brought back to court at that stage.

Related topics: