Men in court accused of Conor Browne murder outside Castlederg bar

Two men have appeared in court charged with the murder of Conor Browne in Co Tyrone.

Adam Acheson, 28, with an address at Baron Square Court, Drumquin, Omagh appeared charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon, namely a knife.

There was no application for bail made on his behalf and he only spoke to say he understood the charges against him.

During the hearing on Wednesday, the court was shown footage of an alleged fight outside a bar in Castlederg.

In interviews with police, Acheson said he did not remember anyone bleeding and the only reason he was outside the bar was to meet a girl - and he didn't intend to harm anyone.

Jeffrey Bustard, 27, with an address at Church Road, Newtownstewart, was charged with murder. He was released on bail with a number of strict conditions.

A detective Constable told the court that in an interview given to police, Bustard said he was not involved in any planning of the attack.

Mr Browne, a 28-year-old father from Strabane died on Monday following an attack in Main Street Castlederg on Saturday.

The officer told the court that Bustard and Acheson arrived to the bar together and later ran towards a group of people allegedly instigating a fight. Bustard’s defence showed the court a video taken from a car of that fight.

The defence argued that Bustard was involved in a separate altercation and did not lay a finger on the victim.

Separate CCTV footage which was only referred to in court, was said to have shown Bustard hugging Conor Browne earlier that evening and it was said that they were friends.

The defence said “footage shows that he had no hand in the assault at all”.

Police have identified 31 witnesses, some of which have not yet given evidence.

Granting bail for Bustard, the judge said that the weight of evidence given to court today did not point towards a joint enterprise. A vigil is planned for Wednesday night in Castlederg to remember Conor Browne.

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