Man accused of affray in Jordan McConomy case told police 'I am not a fighter, I don't fight.'

The man accused of affray on the night 19-year-old Jordan McConomy died in Derry told police 'I am not a fighter, I don't fight.'

Dane McKeever (24) of Fahan Street in Derry faces one charge of causing an affray on September 24, 2017.

The defendant was giving evidence on his own behalf and told the court that he had been out drinking with friends during the day. 

McKeever told the jury that in the evening he had gone to a local night club and had taken one ecstasy tablet. 

He said that his recollection after that became hazy and a friend of his had said he took more ecstasy. 

The jury was told that McKeever had no memory as to how he found himself in William Street where the incident occurred. 

In response to Eoghan Devlin defence counsel McKeever said all he could recollect was 'someone roaring in my face'.

He then said he could recall 'throwing someone over my left shoulder.'

Again in response to Mr Devlin the defendant said 'I don't remember hitting anyone or anyone hitting me.'

Referring to CCTV that had been shown to the court Mr Devlin asked had the deceased man Jordan McConomy thrown 'a haymaker' towards McKeever followed by a kick and was told it appeared so. 

Following the incident when Jordan McConomy goes to the ground McKeever agreed that it appeared that a female struck him in the face and then another man struck him. 

The defendant was asked if it was the case that the first punches he threw were after he had been assaulted and he replied he did not remember. 

McKeever said he had little recollection of what happened afterwards except he knew he had smoked a joint in his mother's shed. 

Under cross-examination by a prosecution barrister McKeever agreed that he had the opportunity to walk away.

He was asked why did he not just run away the defendant answered that he was 18 and when someone hit you you hit back. 

The defence case was then closed and it is expected the jury will retire to consider their verdict tomorrow.