Man remanded on murder charge

The accused appeared at Londonderry Magistrates Court

A man has been remanded in custody after appearing at Londonderry Magistrates Court on a murder charge.

Martin James Heaney, 34, from Killowen Drive in Magherafelt, was charged with the murder of Francis John Loane.

The 37-year-old victim was stabbed in the stomach in Magherafelt in the early hours of Saturday morning at a house in Killowen Drive.

He died later in the Mid Ulster hospital.

No reply

Mr Heaney stood silently in the court while the charge was read out.

He nodded to confirm that he understood the offence.

A detective sergeant told the court that he arrested and cautioned the accused at Cookstown Police station on Saturday night.

When the murder charge was put to him, Mr Heaney made no reply.

The detective sergeant said he believed he could connect the accused to the charge.

He was remanded in custody until 19 November.