A man has been charged in Belfast with the murder of Robert McCartney and another has been charged with attempting to murder Brendan Devine, the murder victim's friend.
Terence Malachy Davison (49) from Belfast, was charged with McCartney's murder before Laganside Magistrates and James McCormick (36) also from Belfast, was charged with the attempted murder of Mr Devine.
The men were attacked, stabbed and beaten outside Magennis's pub in Belfast city centre on January 30th and Mr McCartney, a 33-year-old father of two, died the following day.
Mr Davison and Mr McCormick, arrested last Wednesday in Belfast and Birmingham respectively, were remanded by Magistrate Ken Nixon to appear before the court again by video link on July 1st.
Mr Davison, of Stanfield Place in the Markets area of Belfast, denies murder.
Mr McCormick, who was arrested on Victoria Road, Stechford in Birmingham and is also from the Markets area, denies attempted murder.
Both accused acknowledged a number of supporters in the public gallery as they were brought into court.
Det Chief Insp Kevin Dunwoody told the court he could link the accused to the charges.
He also told the court two witnesses had given statements identifying Mr Davison but there was no forensic evidence linking him to the crime.
The court also heard he was previously arrested in connection with the murder in February but released without charge.
According to Det Chief Insp Dunwoody, the case against Mr McCormick is based on two witness statements and forensic evidence.
Mr McCormick was first arrested in March after he handed himself in.
Mr Kevin Winters, representing Mr Davison, and Mr Philip Breen, representing McCormick, told the court their clients denied the charges.
Mr McCartney's partner, Bridgeen Hagans, and his five sisters sat in a packed public gallery. Family and friends of the two accused also sat at the end of the same bench at the back of the public gallery.
PSNI officers separated the two groups.
Many journalists and members of the public were denied entry to the court due to overcrowding.
Speaking outside court after the 15-minute hearing, Paula McCartney said: "The family is relieved that the first step in a very long process is over.
"It has to be remembered that there was a lot more people involved in Robert's murder and we won't be happy until all those people who were involved are brought to account.
"We are glad that it has arrived at the court because we vehemently believe that everyone is entitled to a fair trial.
"We hope that is what is going to happen here and it will be found out in the courtroom who is guilty and who isn't," Ms McCartney said.