Attempted murder charge dropped

A man accused of attempted murder during the incident in which Robert McCartney was stabbed to death has had the charge withdrawn.

James McCormick, 37, was arrested in Birmingham. He now faces a charge of causing an affray, which carries a possible life sentence.

He had been charged with trying to kill Mr McCartney's friend, Brendan Devine, outside Maginnis's Bar in January 2005.

Mr McCormick was remanded on continuing bail until 11 August.