Man accused of Paul Brown manslaughter returned for trial

A MAN charged with the manslaughter of 53-year-old Paul Brown in Omagh around 18 months ago has been returned for trial.

Standing before Omagh Magistrates Court today (Tuesday) was Deon Fullen (21), of Slievecoole Park in the town, who is charged with unlawfully killing Mr Brown, the attempted murder of Mr Brown’s son Owen and possessing a large bladed weapon with intent to commit murder on October 16, 2022.

During a short preliminary enquiry, a Public Prosecution Service (PPS) representative told the court the defendant had a case to answer.

Defence counsel, Ian Turkington, offered no submissions to the court.

When asked if Fullen wished to say anything or provide a written statement of evidence to the charges, he replied, “Not at this time.”

Fullen was bailed for arraignment at Dungannon Crown Court (sitting in Newry) on May 14.

At an earlier court hearing in late October 2022, following the defendant’s arrest, heard that on Sunday, October 16, Fullen and one of the alleged injured parties, Owen Brown, had become involved in an altercation in a pub on the Gortin Road.

It was then stated that Fullen had returned to the bar, where a verbal altercation took place between him and his two alleged victims, which resulted in them being held back and separated by door staff.

The court was told that the three left the bar separately, and that Paul and Owen Brown had later attended the home of the defendant at Slievecoole Park. It was alleged that while they were at the front of the premises, Fullen had come out of a neighbouring property with a ‘Samurai-type sword’. He was wielding it above his head, swinging it at Owen Brown and his father.

Owen Brown stated that, during the attack, the fingers on his right hand and his wrist on his left hand were chopped. The court also heard that Owen Brown had sustained tendon damage to his fingers, stab wounds on his body and received staples on his head and nose.

The victim and his father then sought help at a nearby property, where Paul Brown collapsed. He was later pronounced dead at the South West Acute Hospital, while Owen Brown was taken to hospital in Belfast.

The court was told that he had undergone extensive surgery and it was still unclear when he could be released.

The court was told that Deon Fullen went to a neighbour’s house, where he asked for a pair of trousers. He changed from his jeans into a pair of tracksuit bottoms. DNA evidence showed traces of blood on the jeans belonging to Owen Brown.

The detective constable also said that Fullen then left the scene and returned at around 5.30am when he was arrested.

Fullen – who has no criminal record – made no reply when charged.

He also declined to comment on questions in relation to an allegation by him that a threat had been made against him, as to whether he was in possession of the sword and to wounding Owen or Paul Brown.