Man appears in court charged with murder of Limerick woman Carrie Mullane

A man has appeared in court charged over the murder of Limerick woman Carrie Mullane.

Michael Lynch, 35, with an address at Trasna Park, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, appeared in court in Dungannon, County Tyrone, on Saturday morning charged with murder and preventing the lawful burial of a corpse.

Ms Mullane (Noonan), 39, from Moyross, has been missing since her arrival in Enniskillen from Limerick on October 10.

The PSNI has been searching for her since officers were made aware of her disappearance on October 29, but so far have not established her whereabouts.

Her family in Limerick have made several appeals on social media in an effort to locate her.

Lynch, who has lived most of his life in the Republic of Ireland, appeared before the court via videolink from custody.

A detective sergeant told the court she could connect the accused to the charges as she outlined that Ms Mullane was last seen by her family on October 10.

She said a taxi driver reported driving a “slabbering” Lynch and an intoxicated Ms Mullane, with the accused helping the missing woman from the vehicle into his property.

Police said the pair had travelled from Limerick, where Ms Mullane collected benefits weekly, to Enniskillen via public transport on the date.

She was later reported missing.

The PSNI conducted a welfare check on Ms Mullane at Lynch’s property on October 29 but she was not located.

Lynch, who the court heard had vehemently denied harming Ms Mullane in any way, told police he had not seen her since October 10.

The detective sergeant said Lynch had told them they had had a row on the journey to Enniskillen about his former partner and that when he arrived at the house he had fallen asleep – implying that he had been knocked out by an unknown substance administered by Ms Mullane.

The court heard he told police that when he had awoken she had disappeared and he had received a message via Facebook Messenger saying she was ending their relationship and travelling to Londonderry with an unknown person signified with the letter “X”.

The detective sergeant said the message was not in keeping with how she normally speaks and that family and friends had reported that it was unusual she had not been in touch with them, and had not been to collect benefits since October 10.

Ms Mullane was also not located at any hospitals or shelters.

Lynch also told police that Ms Mullane owed money to unknown persons and alleged that she had stolen his benefits.

The detective sergeant said neighbours reported seeing Ms Mullane frequently coming and going between the property and a camper van outside, but that she had not been spotted in a number of weeks.

She said it was noted that Lynch began clearing out the van on October 23 and it was subsequently towed and sold for scrap on October 24.

The detective sergeant said a blood-stained carpet, a blood-stained Converse shoe and a bottle of Flash were later discovered in the van.

She said the carpet is believed to have been from the living room of the property and Ms Mullane’s DNA had been associated with the objects.

The police representative also said there was a blood splatter matching Ms Mullane and Lynch on the TV in the property.

She said police believe Ms Mullane was fatally injured on the carpet.

The court heard that Lynch had in earlier days asked for a lift of a sinking boat.

She also said police believe Lynch drove a van on October 11 into Enniskillen and then visited a jetty.

The detective sergeant said police believe he was travelling in hours of darkness to hide evidence and the body of Ms Mullane, during hours he said he was knocked out.

The court heard a phone was taken from Lynch during his arrest and that it had several sim cards placed into it, including one with a number used on Ms Mullane’s benefits registration.

The detective sergeant said police had not been able to establish any proof of life of Ms Mullane.

Police objected to bail, suggesting Lynch may interfere with witnesses, may commit further offences and may abscond to the Republic of Ireland, where he has “extensive links” including friends and family.

In applying for bail, his lawyer said his client had co-operated with police and answered questions to the best of his ability.

He also noted that the case may take a long time before it is heard.

He said “most onerous conditions” could be considered including electronic tagging and a daily signing requirement.

The judge said he had carefully considered all submissions including the objections to bail by police.

He said there was a prima facie case against the defendant and had to consider if risks could be managed by bail conditions pending a resolution of proceedings.

The judge said he was not satisfied these risks could be mitigated and refused bail on the grounds of risks of interference with witnesses and justice, risk of flight and risk of reoffending.

Lynch is to appear again via videolink at Enniskillen court on November 30.

Legal aid was also granted.