A teenager accused of murdering a man at a Belfast sports ground has denied any involvement in the brutal killing, a court heard today.
Civil servant Ian Flanagan's battered body was found near a hockey pitch at Queen's University playing fields on Sunday.
After being charged with the murder, however Mr Raymond Taylor (17), of no fixed address, insisted he had played no part in the killing. Laganside magistrates court in Belfast heard that he told detectives "I definitely didn't kill him".
The youth appeared in the dock along with Jason Maxwell (20) of Virginia Way in the city who has been accused of withholding information about the killing that could have led to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the attack. He made no reply when charged, police said.
A 14-year-old schoolboy was remanded in custody yesterday after he was also charged with the murder.
Mr Flanagan (30) who was from South Armagh, but who had been living in Belfast, was beaten to death last Saturday night. His body was found just yards away from where his red BMW had been parked at Malone playing fields.
Lawyers for Mr Taylor and Mr Maxwell told the court that during lengthy interviews neither had made any admission of involvement and both had denied any link to the killing.
Mr Taylor was remanded in custody until October 11th when he is due to appear before the same court by a video link. Mr Maxwell was remanded until September 20th under the same arrangements.
PA