Man (39) charged with Damien Heagney murder

A 39-YEAR-OLD man has appeared in court charged with the murder of Damien Heagney.

At Strabane Magistrates Court this morning, Stephen McCourt, with an address of McGartland Terrace, Dromore, was charged with murdering 47-year-old Mr Heagney between December 30, 2021 and January 6, 2022.

Mr Heagney, originally from Kildress, was last seen in Dromore on New Year’s Eve in 2021, with his remains being recovered from a reservoir in Cappagh on August 10 of this year.

Meanwhile, in court this morning, McCourt was also charged with a number of other offences – all of which allegedly took place on June 18, 2022.

He is charged with causing grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon, namely a metal bar.

Other offences relate to alleged incidents that took place at Riverdale, Augher.

McCourt is charged with cultivating a cannabis plant at the aforementioned property, being in possession of a class B drug and dishonestly using a supply of electricity at the same property.

He is further charged with driving while disqualified and driving without insurance at Riverview, Augher.

No bail application was made and the defendant was remanded into custody.

McCourt is due to appear via videolink at Dungannon Magistrates Court on November 2.