Absconding murderer back in court

A murderer who handed himself in to police after absconding from his trial is due to appear at Londonderry Magistrates Court on Monday.

James Meehan, convicted on Wednesday of the murder of James McFadden, handed himself in to police on Saturday.

He had failed to turn up for court the day before he, his wife and her son were found guilty of murdering Shantallow man James McFadden.

Meehan will face further charges for failing to turn up in court.

Arrested

Police said he had voluntarily attended Strand Road police station on Saturday evening with his solicitor.

He was then arrested on a warrant for murder, assault and breach of bail.

Mr McFadden was beaten to death outside his home just over two years ago.

Meehan, 39, his wife Brenda, 42, and her son, Sean Devenney, 22, all from Dundrean Park in Galliagh, were found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Mr McFadden.

Mr McFadden, a father-of-four, died from a ruptured heart following the attack outside his Moyolla Drive home.

He, his wife and children had earlier attended the same wedding reception as the Meehans and Sean Devenney in Redcastle, County Donegal.