Defence seeks halt to Poyntzpass hearing

Defence lawyers for the two men accused of the Poyntzpass double murder have asked the trial judge to stop the case

Defence lawyers for the two men accused of the Poyntzpass double murder have asked the trial judge to stop the case. They submitted to Mr Justice Kerr, sitting without a jury, that there was insufficient evidence on which a reasonable jury or tribunal of fact could convict.

In the dock at Belfast Crown Court are Mr Stephen McClean from Hillside Park, Banbridge, Co Down, and Mr Noel McCready, of Dickson Park, Seapatrick. Both deny the murders of Mr Philip Allen and Mr Damien Trainer, shot dead in the Railway Bar in the Co Armagh village on the evening of March 3rd last year.

Submissions in the case continue this morning.