Jury Dismissed in Damien Heagney Murder Trial

A senior judge has dismissed the jury impaneled for the trial of the individual charged with the murder of Damien Heagney. Mr. Heagney, aged 47, had his remains located in a reservoir in Cappagh during August 2022. Stephen McCourt, 41, residing at Riverview in Augher, faces charges of murdering Mr. Heagney within the period spanning 30 December 2021 and 6 January 2022. On the third day of the proceedings, a legal matter emerged, leading Mr Justice Fowler to dismiss the jury. Speaking to the seven women and five men of the jury at Belfast Crown Court, the judge expressed gratitude but stated that, owing to a legal issue, “unfortunately I am going to have to discharge you from sitting further on this trial”.