Pair appear in court over killing

Mr Flanagan's body was found close to a hockey pitch

Two people have appeared at Belfast Magistrate's Court charged in connection with the murder of civil servant Ian Flanagan at the weekend.

The 30-year-old's body was found at playing fields in the Malone area of Belfast on Sunday morning. He had sustained serious head injuries.

Raymond Taylor, 17, of no fixed address was charged with the murder of Mr Flanagan when he appeared in court on Friday.

Jason Maxwell, 20, of Virginia Way in Belfast was accused of withholding information.

A detective inspector told the court that when charged Mr Taylor replied: "I definitely didn't kill him."

Hockey pitch

The officer said Mr Maxwell made no reply when charged. He confirmed that, under questioning, Mr Maxwell had denied all allegations put to him.

Both defendants were remanded in custody. Mr Taylor will appear in court again by video link on 11 October and Mr Maxwell by video link on 20 September.

On Thursday, a 14-year-old boy appeared in the court accused of his murder.

The boy, who cannot be named because of his age, was remanded in custody until 8 October when he is due to appear again via a video link to the court.

Mr Flanagan's body was found close to a hockey pitch at Queen's University playing fields shortly after 0800 BST on Sunday.