Detectives investigating the murder of Julie Hamill who was found dead on a beach in Northern Ireland last week have issued a new appeal.

The body of Ms Hamill, 28, was discovered by a jogger on a beach in Portstewart, County Londonderry last Thursday.

On Friday afternoon a County Derry man appeared before a special court in the town charged with her murder.

The police now want to speak to a man they describe as a "good samaritan" who helped another man escort a woman from Kelly's nightclub in the nearby seaside town of Portrush.

They believe the woman who was helped to a car was Miss Hamill and have called on the man to come forward because they think he may have valuable information.

On Friday the special court heard that when the charge was put to Alastair Clifford Leighton, 33, from Drumadragh Road in Coleraine, a farm labourer, he replied: "Just guilty".

A detective inspector told the court he believed he could connect Mr Leighton with the charge.

In response to questions from the accused's solicitor, the police officer said Mr Leighton had come forward "of his own volition, accompanied by his father".

When asked if the accused had shown true and genuine remorse, the detective replied: "Well I feel he showed a genuine element of remorse".

Mr Leighton was remanded in custody until 10 March.

Brothers in court

The dead woman's three brothers Gregory, Martin and Eamonn Hamill were in court for the appearance.

Earlier on Friday, police released a second man without charge.

The dead woman was a niece of the South Down Social Democratic and Labour Party MP Eddie McGrady.

Miss Hamill was a part time guidance officer at the Causeway Institute of Further and Higher Education in Ballymoney, County Antrim. She lived in a flat in Portrush.