Two work colleagues appeared in court in Magherafelt, Co Derry, today charged with the manslaughter of a fire officer who was killed while fighting a fire in a Co Derry hotel earlier this month.
Steel erector Mr Aidan Higgins (32), from Bellraugh, Garvagh, and Mr Nigel Robert Higgins (39), also a steel erector from Fort Road, Garvagh, were jointly charged with the unlawful killing of Joseph McCloskey (50).
A father-of-five, Mr McCloskey died while fighting a fire which had been deliberately started at the Gorteen House Hotel in Limavady. The offence is alleged to have occurred on November 1st.
Det Const Sam Kinkaid told Magherafelt Magistrates Court that when he charged Mr Aidan Higgins with the offence, the defendant replied "not guilty".
The witness said that when he charged Mr Nigel Higgins, the defendant made no reply. The police officer said he believed he could connect the defendantsto the charge and asked for a remand to enable him to complete hisinquiries.
Both defendants were remanded in custody to appear before Derry MagistratesCourt on November 20th via a video link.