A father and son appeared in court today charged with the murder of a man stabbed to death in Northern Ireland last week.
Christopher Notarantonio (53) and his son, William (21) both of the same address at Whitecliff Parade in Ballymurphy, west Belfast, were charged with murdering Gerard Devlin.
The father of six was stabbed to death in an attack in Whitecliff Parade last Friday as he arrived at his partner's home to collect his children for the weekend. The killing is understood to have been the culmination of a six-year feud between the two families.
Belfast Magistrates' Court was told that both father and son had co-operated with police and given a full account of what happened. A detective inspector told the court that Christopher Notarantonio said when charged: "I have already given my account of what happened."
His son responded in similar fashion, saying: "I have given my account as to what happened."
The detective inspector said she believed she could connect both men to the murder charge and to a second charge of causing an affray. The two men were remanded in custody to appear by video link at the same court on March 7th.
Several armed police stood guard in the court during the brief appearance and the magistrate warned the crowded public gallery that he would not tolerate any disturbance. The court remained silent throughout the proceedings.
A solicitor representing the father and son told the court they would not be making an application to the High Court for bail. He said: "Because of the ongoing activity in the area, my clients have informed me they won't at this stage apply for bail."
Police were today investigating a series of arson attacks on homes in the Ballymurphy area which they suspect are connected to the killing. Late last night and early this morning, one house was badly damaged in a petrol bomb attack and several others, together with a car, damaged in what police suspected were cases of arson.
Tensions have remained high in Ballymurphy since the killing and one of the properties targeted last night was also targeted earlier in the day and on Sunday. Fire officers called to deal with the blazes came under attack from stone throwers at one stage. The Devlin family have appealed for no further trouble.