A woman cowered in the dock of Belfast Magistrates Court yesterday, as the father of a 16-year-old boy killed in north Belfast this week lunged forward from the public benches.
Five RUC officers restrained Mr Sammy McDonald as he hurled abuse at Ms Alison McKeown (32), from Newtownabbey, Co Antrim, who is charged with the murder of Thomas McDonald. He and another man tried to grab her in the dock just as the hearing concluded but were held back by police.
The man wept openly as he was consoled by other relatives before being instructed to leave the court. The accused woman was ushered away, her cries audible through a partition.
The Protestant youth died on Tuesday from head injuries after being struck by a car while riding his bicycle on the Whitewell Road. His funeral will be held today.
A 15-year-old boy and Mr Patrick Michael Auld (20) from north Belfast were jointly charged with intent to pervert the cause of justice by making untruthful statements to police. A reporting restriction was placed on the addresses of all defendants.
Ms McKeown was remanded in custody to appear again on October 3rd. The blonde woman drew sharp breaths as she stood before magistrate John Clery.
The two young men stood side by side, one in the juvenile dock, as charges were read. Both chewed gum as the court heard they were passengers in a vehicle that collided with a cyclist and they had volunteered their statements.
Both were remanded in custody to appear again on October 4th by video-link. Their solicitor, Mr Brendan Blaney, said they denied the charge.