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06/06/2012
Murder Was Thwarted Suicide Bid, Court Hears
A man killed his former lover in a suicide bid gone wrong, a court heard.
Fred McClenaghan, 49, of Broad Street, Magherafelt, is on trial charged with murdering Marion Millican with a shotgun as she ate her lunch in a launderette in Portstewart on March 11 2011.
He denies murder, and in a prepared statement which was read out in court he said he planned to kill himself and for her to witness it.
The statement added: "I didn't intend to harm Marion... Marion's death was an accident and I am truly sorry."
But prosecution lawyers at Antrim Crown Court said her death was "murder pure and simple" and that forensic tests "give lie to the claim that her death was an accident".
A lawyer said that Mrs Millican had been warned by police of the threat to her life, as she was planning to end her violent relationship with Mr McClenaghan and go back to her husband Kenny.
He said the accused had told counsellors of his own suicidal feelings in the months before the shooting, but had framed it in terms of wanting to kill his girlfriend and then himself.
Trial Judge Corinne Philpott QC heard that Mr McClenaghan was angry after being rejected and had armed himself and shot Mrs Millican deliberately.
The trial continues.
(NE)
Fred McClenaghan, 49, of Broad Street, Magherafelt, is on trial charged with murdering Marion Millican with a shotgun as she ate her lunch in a launderette in Portstewart on March 11 2011.
He denies murder, and in a prepared statement which was read out in court he said he planned to kill himself and for her to witness it.
The statement added: "I didn't intend to harm Marion... Marion's death was an accident and I am truly sorry."
But prosecution lawyers at Antrim Crown Court said her death was "murder pure and simple" and that forensic tests "give lie to the claim that her death was an accident".
A lawyer said that Mrs Millican had been warned by police of the threat to her life, as she was planning to end her violent relationship with Mr McClenaghan and go back to her husband Kenny.
He said the accused had told counsellors of his own suicidal feelings in the months before the shooting, but had framed it in terms of wanting to kill his girlfriend and then himself.
Trial Judge Corinne Philpott QC heard that Mr McClenaghan was angry after being rejected and had armed himself and shot Mrs Millican deliberately.
The trial continues.
(NE)
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20 November 2017
Man To Serve At Least 13 Years For Laundrette Murder
The murderer of Marion Millican, Fred McClenaghan, has been sentenced to a minimum of 13 years in prison. The Magherafelt man, aged 56, pleaded guilty to murdering the mother-of-four. The PSNI described him as a very "callous and dangerous" man.
Man To Serve At Least 13 Years For Laundrette Murder
The murderer of Marion Millican, Fred McClenaghan, has been sentenced to a minimum of 13 years in prison. The Magherafelt man, aged 56, pleaded guilty to murdering the mother-of-four. The PSNI described him as a very "callous and dangerous" man.
12 June 2012
Marion Millican Gun 'Thrown In Ditch'
The shotgun used to kill a woman at the Portstewart launderette where she worked was thrown into a ditch afterwards, a court has heard. A witness in the trial of Fred McClenaghan, 49, said the accused told her he had shot somebody and that he threw the gun in a ditch.
Marion Millican Gun 'Thrown In Ditch'
The shotgun used to kill a woman at the Portstewart launderette where she worked was thrown into a ditch afterwards, a court has heard. A witness in the trial of Fred McClenaghan, 49, said the accused told her he had shot somebody and that he threw the gun in a ditch.
12 January 2016
Woman Charged With Attempted Murder After Man Stabbed In Co Down
A 36-year-old woman has been charged with attempted murder after a man was stabbed in Co Down. The 54-year-old victim was stabbed in the Manor Court area in Moira on Monday. He is currently in a serious but stable condition in hospital. The woman is to appear at Craigavon Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Woman Charged With Attempted Murder After Man Stabbed In Co Down
A 36-year-old woman has been charged with attempted murder after a man was stabbed in Co Down. The 54-year-old victim was stabbed in the Manor Court area in Moira on Monday. He is currently in a serious but stable condition in hospital. The woman is to appear at Craigavon Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
26 February 2014
Murder Inquiry After Woman Dies
Police have launched a murder inquiry following the death of a woman in Co Tyrone. Mairead McCallion, 36, was found at a property in Castleview Court, Omagh, on Sunday morning. She had suffered head injuries and was taken to hospital, but died a day later.
Murder Inquiry After Woman Dies
Police have launched a murder inquiry following the death of a woman in Co Tyrone. Mairead McCallion, 36, was found at a property in Castleview Court, Omagh, on Sunday morning. She had suffered head injuries and was taken to hospital, but died a day later.
18 November 2024
Other News In Brief
Two Arrested After Dangerous Driving Incident In North Belfast Two men have been arrested following a dangerous driving incident in north Belfast in the early hours of Monday, November 18th. The incident began on the Whitewell Road, where a car was observed driving erratically.
Other News In Brief
Two Arrested After Dangerous Driving Incident In North Belfast Two men have been arrested following a dangerous driving incident in north Belfast in the early hours of Monday, November 18th. The incident began on the Whitewell Road, where a car was observed driving erratically.
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