Woman in North denies murdering newborn son

A woman today denied murdering her baby son at a court hearing in the North.

A woman today denied murdering her baby son at a court hearing in the North.

Wendy Johnston (34) sat with her head bowed in the dock at a magistrate's court in Strabane, Co Tyrone.

A detective said that when charged she replied: "Not guilty."

Ms Johnston from Spruce Hill, Irvinestown, Co Fermanagh, was remanded in custody until March 27th, although she was told she could apply for High Court bail.

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Det sgt George Patterson was asked by magistrate Liam McNally at today's hearing whether the baby had a name after Ms Johnston was charged with murdering "baby Johnston". He replied: "The baby was just born."

The court heard that Ms Johnston had been interviewed at length over three days, answering all questions and denying the charge throughout.

The baby was found dead at her home on Thursday of last week. A postmortem was later carried out, but results have not yet been released.

Police are also attempting to locate the driver of a blue estate car seen in the area days previously.