Murder accused missing from court

Jim McFadden was beaten to death outside his Shantallow home

A 30-year-old man accused of murdering Jim McFaddden has failed to turn up at for the final day of his trial.

James Meehan, along with his wife Brenda Meehan, 40, and her son Sean Devenney, 22, all from Dundrean Park, deny murdering Jim McFadden.

Mr McFadden, 42, was killed outside his home in Shantallow in May 2007 after a row at a wedding they had all attended.

The Judge at Londonderry Crown court asked Mr Meehan's barrister why his client had failed to turn up.

The barrister told the court he had spoken to Mr Meehan earlier who, despite his advice, said he would not be appearing in court.

The judge told the jurors that James Meehan's absence was something which occasionally occurred in criminal trials. He added that the reason why was of no concern to the jury.

He also said that they should not attach any adverse inference to the defendants absence as it had nothing to do with guilt or innocence.

The trail began in May 2009 and was due to end on Tuesday.