Two charged over PSNI constable's death

Two homeless men have appeared in court in Derry charged with a combined total of 14 offences relating to the death of PSNI constable…

Shane Frane (left) and Conor Clarence, who appeared in court yesterday in connection with the death of PSNI constable Philippa Reynolds. photographs: margaret mclaughlin and trevor mcbride
Shane Frane (left) and Conor Clarence, who appeared in court yesterday in connection with the death of PSNI constable Philippa Reynolds. photographs: margaret mclaughlin and trevor mcbride

Two homeless men have appeared in court in Derry charged with a combined total of 14 offences relating to the death of PSNI constable Philippa Reynolds (27), who was killed when a stolen Toyota Land Cruiser crashed into an unmarked police patrol car at Dale’s Corner in Waterside early last Saturday.

Several senior officers and a dozen uniformed colleagues of Const Reynolds were in Derry Magistrates Court yesterday for the hearing.

Neither of the defendants’ solicitors applied for bail and both men were remanded in custody until March 7th.

Shane Frane (25) and Conor Clarence (23) are from the Simon Community hostel in Bond’s Hill, Waterside .

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Mr Frane faces 10 charges, including causing Const Reynolds’s death by dangerous driving and driving while unfit due to alcohol or drugs.

A detective constable told the court he was aware of the facts and circumstances of the case and he believed he could connect both defendants to the charges.

He agreed with solicitor David Brewster that Mr Clarence had “given a full account of his role” and that the police believed he was a front-seat passenger in the stolen Land Cruiser.

“At this early opportunity, my client wishes to express his apology for the role he had in this tragedy,” Mr Brewster said.

Remanding both defendants in custody, Judge Barney McElholm said: “The court wishes to take this opportunity to express its condolences to Constable Reynolds’s family and friends and colleagues in this senseless and needless loss of life.”