Heagney murder accused to face Crown Court trial

THE case of a Tyrone man accused of murdering Damien Heagney (pictured), whose remains were recovered from a reservoir in the summer of 2022, having not been seen alive since New Year’s Eve 2021, has been returned for trial.

Appearing for a committal hearing was Stephen Eugene McCourt (40), of McGartland Terrace, Dromore, who allegedly murdered the victim between December 31, 2021 and January 6, 2022.

Initially, police treated Heagney as a high-risk missing person, issuing an appeal for assistance to locate him.

Subsequent proof-of-life enquiries showed no bank or phone activity since December 31, 2021 and police then launched a murder investigation in August 2022.

On August 10, 2022, detectives announced Heagney’s BMW had been located and specialist teams had commenced searches of Altmore Reservoir in Cappagh. Later that day, human remains were recovered from the water and taken for post-mortem.

Police later confirmed the remains were those of Heagney.

In October that year, McCourt appeared in court charged with his murder.

At the most recent hearing at Dungannon Magistrates Court, a prosecuting lawyer said there is a case to answer, which was agreed by District Judge Michael Ranaghan.

McCourt spoke only to confirm his identity and that he understood the charges. He declined to call witnesses or give evidence on his own behalf at this stage in proceedings.

Judge Ranaghan remanded him in continuing custody to appear for arraignment at Laganside Crown Court on March 1.