Two men in court over murder of Roy Reynolds whose body was found in Carrickfergus reservoir

The partially submerged body of 54-year old Roy Reynolds was found at North Woodland Reservoir last March.

Two men appeared in court on Friday on charges arising from the death of a man whose remains were discovered in a Co Antrim reservoir. The partially submerged body of 54-year old Roy Reynolds was found at North Woodland Reservoir last March. Michael Campbell (34) and 69-year old Robert Mervyn Fulton appeared alongside each other at Belfast Crown Court via a videolink with HMP Maghaberry.

Campbell, with an address as Maghaberry, confirmed he could see and hear the court and was charged with murdering Mr Reynolds on a date between March 26 and 29, 2022. When this charge was put to Campbell, he replied "not guilty." He was then charged with attempting to prevent the lawful and decent burial of a deceased body on March 28, 2022, and when asked how he pleaded, Campbell answered "guilty." Co-accused Fulton also confirmed he could see and hear the court and was charged with assisting offenders on a date between March 26 and 29, 2022. From Brickhill Park in Newtownabbey, Fulton pleaded "not guilty" to a charge of knowing that Michael Campbell had committed murder he 'assisted the said person in removing, transporting and attempting to conceal the deceased body.' After the pair entered their pleas, barristers representing both men addressed Mr Justice O'Hara.

Campbell's barrister Stephen Toal said he had "agreed the vast majority of the Crown case" and the "dispute will be quite narrow at trial."

Mr Toal added he was now seeking medical records and reports in respect of his client. Fulton's barrister Paul Bacon told the Judge he had also agreed to a majority of the case and further medical reports were being sought on his "vulnerable" client. After he was told the trial is expected to last no more than a two weeks, Mr Justice O'Hara set the date for the hearing as September 4, 2023 and both defendants were remanded back into custody.

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