Man with 'serious mental health issues' charged with Kilrea murder

A man, who a solicitor said, had serious mental health issues has appeared at Derry Magistrate's Court charged with the murder of a man in Kilrea on August 29.

Jason Tyrone Spence (33) of Millburn Street in Cookstown was charged with the murder of 56-year-old Cornelius O'Neill on August 29.

Defence solicitor John McAtamney said that there would be no bail application as his client suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and a mental health assessment would be required. 

A police officer connected the accused to the charge and outlined details of the case. 

The court heard that the deceased had been in a relationship with the defendant's mother. 

The officer said police received a report of a man being stabbed and Mr O'Neill was pronounced dead at the scene.

The court heard that there was CCTV evidence from cameras near the scene. 

Spence was alleged to have driven away from the scene and was arrested in Cookstown and the officer said he had blood on him and on his clothes. 

The police officer said Spence refused to leave his cell to be interviewed and had to be interviewed in his cell and he did not respond to questions. 

District Judge Barney McElholm ordered a psychiatric assessment should be carried out on the accused and offered his condolences to the deceased's family.

Spence was remanded in custody and will appear at Magherafelt on September 20.