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06/05/2009
Community Praised Over Harry Holland Murder Case
Both the police and the community within west Belfast have been praised for their work in bringing closure after the shocking murder of a local man four years ago.
A protracted court case was avoided yesterday when 18-year-old Sean Patrick (Stephen) McKee, from Ballymurphy Road pleaded guilty to stabbing Harry Holland, 65, (pictured here) with a screwdriver in September 2007, near his home in Norfolk Drive.
Today this was followed by murder charges being dropped against two teenagers accused of killing Mr Holland as he intervened to stop his van being taken away.
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 admitted having a knife and the girl admitted common assault, but denied a more serious assault charge.
The girl was released on continuing bail, while Crossan did not apply for bail.
On foot of the developments, the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has said they were greatly assisted in the prosecution of this case by the excellent investigative work of police and the vital support and co-operation of the local community in providing crucial evidence.
"This clearly demonstrates the value of effective engagement by the community with the criminal justice system," said a statement released today.
"The PPS recognises that this has been a difficult time for all involved – in particular for Mrs Holland and her family - and hopes that the conviction of Stephen McKee for murder will help bring a degree of closure for them," it said.
See: Holland Murder Boosts Community Policing Input
(BMcC/JM)
A protracted court case was avoided yesterday when 18-year-old Sean Patrick (Stephen) McKee, from Ballymurphy Road pleaded guilty to stabbing Harry Holland, 65, (pictured here) with a screwdriver in September 2007, near his home in Norfolk Drive.
Today this was followed by murder charges being dropped against two teenagers accused of killing Mr Holland as he intervened to stop his van being taken away.
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 admitted having a knife and the girl admitted common assault, but denied a more serious assault charge.
The girl was released on continuing bail, while Crossan did not apply for bail.
On foot of the developments, the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has said they were greatly assisted in the prosecution of this case by the excellent investigative work of police and the vital support and co-operation of the local community in providing crucial evidence.
"This clearly demonstrates the value of effective engagement by the community with the criminal justice system," said a statement released today.
"The PPS recognises that this has been a difficult time for all involved – in particular for Mrs Holland and her family - and hopes that the conviction of Stephen McKee for murder will help bring a degree of closure for them," it said.
See: Holland Murder Boosts Community Policing Input
(BMcC/JM)
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