Bail for man accused of McCartney murder

The man accused of murdering Robert McCartney outside a Belfast bar was released on bail by the High Court in Belfast yesterday…

The man accused of murdering Robert McCartney outside a Belfast bar was released on bail by the High Court in Belfast yesterday.

Terence Davison (49), from Stanfield Place in the city's Markets area, was ordered not to have any contact with Mr McCartney's family after a crown lawyer said they had been subjected to threats.

Mr McCartney (33) was stabbed to death in an alleyway outside Magennis's bar last January. His sisters and partner Bridgeen Hagans, who blamed the IRA for the murder, have mounted a high-profile campaign to bring his killers to justice.

Mr Davison, who was arrested in June, has strenuously denied the murder charge.

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He was also ordered to have no contact with the family of Brendan Devine who was seriously injured in the same incident. A co-accused, James McCormick (36), who was arrested in Birmingham, was granted bail last week on a charge of attempting to murder Devine.

A crown lawyer said police objected to both bail applications but as the grounds were the same it was difficult to oppose Mr Davison's after his co-accused was released.

Mr Justice Morgan fixed personal bail at £2,500 with two cash sureties of £2,500, and directed that Mr Davison live at an address handed in to court.