Holland murder charges dropped

Harry Holland died in hospital a day after he was stabbed near his home

Murder charges have been dropped against two teenagers accused of killing west Belfast greengrocer Harry Holland.

Patrick Joseph Crossan, 18, from Willowbank Gardens and a 17-year-old girl, who cannot be identified due to her age, admitted a charge of affray.

Crossan also admitted having a knife and the girl admitted common assault.

Mr Holland, 65, was stabbed with a screwdriver near his home in Norfolk Drive in September 2007.

The girl was released on continuing bail, while Crossan did not apply for bail.

A prosecution lawyer said that, having reviewed the evidence, it would have been "insufficient" to proceed with the murder charge.

The judge adjourned passing sentence until the end of June when pre-sentence probation reports and other medical, psychological and victim impact reports have been compiled.

On Tuesday, 18-year-old Stephen McKee, from Ballymurphy Road in west Belfast, pleaded guilty to Mr Holland's murder.

Speaking outside the court, Holland's eldest daughter, Sarah, said she welcomed the guilty plea from McKee, but said that it was motivated by "self-service rather than remorse".

The other two accused in the case have also entered pleas of guilty to offences which properly reflect their involvement Public Prosecution Service

She described Mr Holland as a "good daddy, a good grandfather and a good neighbour".

Miss Holland praised the murder investigation team and the west Belfast community for supporting her family and helping the investigation into the killing.

The family were critical of the Public Prosecution Service after the charges were reduced on Wednesday.

In a statement the PPS said Stephen McKee had pleaded guilty to the murder and to other offences of violence and possession of weapons.

"The decision to accept the pleas offered by the two remaining accused was based solely on an evaluation of factors likely to affect the outcome of the case, including the plea of guilty of murder already made by Stephen McKee, and the demands of justice.

"The decision was reached after a scrupulous assessment of possible evidential difficulties for the prosecution and a rigorous examination of the requirements of justice," it said.

It said it recognised it had been a difficult time for the Holland family and "hoped the conviction of Stephen McKee for murder will help bring a degree of closure for them".