Turkish man to stand trial for boxer Eamonn Magee's murder

Mr Magee, the son of boxer Eamonn Magee Senior, died from knife wounds he sustained in an attack in Twinbrook on May 30, 2015.

Accused of murdering the 22-year old engineering student and promising boxer is Orhan Koca, a Turkish national of no fixed abode.

The 34-year old, who is on remand in HMP Maghaberry, has denied murder.

A jury of eight men and four women were told the trial is expected to last until the end of March.

Before the members were sworn, trial judge Mr Justice Treacy asked them a series of questions to determine whether or not they were suitable to sit on the jury.

They were informed that the trial will focus on areas in west Belfast including Twinbrook and Lagmore.

This focus, the judge said, would include the Summerhill Drive and Summerhill Park areas of Twinbrook, Mo’s Turkish Barbers in Lagmore, and Beckett’s Bar on the Stewartstown Road.

Mr Justice Treacy told the jury that Mr Magee studied engineering at the University of Ulster in 2014 and 2015, and trained and worked part-time at Finaghy’s Gymco.

Eamonn Magee Senior sat in the public gallery, just yards from where Koca sat in the dock.

After the 12 jury members were sworn, they were told to come back next Monday for the start of the trial.

Before leaving court, they were warned by the judge that carrying out their own research on the case was prohibited.

Mr Justice Treacy said he would expand on this issue next week, but said seeking any background details about the case was banned and his warning should be heeded.