McDaid trial - two more admit lesser charges

Alan Lewis - Photopress Belfast 27/9/2009
Picture by Justin Kernoghan
Kevin McDaid Collect - 28-year-old James McAfee has been charged with the murder of Coleraine man Kevin McDaid and the attempted murder of another man.
James McAfee is the 11th person to be charged in connection with the murder of Mr McDaid.
The father of four was killed near his home in Somerset Drive by a loyalist mob in May. — Alan Lewis - Photopress Belfast 27/9/2009 Picture by Justin Kernoghan Kevin McDaid Collect - 28-year-old James McAfee has been charged with the murder of Coleraine man Kevin McDaid and the attempted murder of another man. James McAfee is the 11th person to be charged in connection with the murder of Mr McDaid. The father of four was killed near his home in Somerset Drive by a loyalist mob in May.

John Thompson, 34, from Knocknougher Road in Macosquin and 49-year-old Paul Newman from Nursery Avenue in Ballymoney initially faced a string of charges, including manslaughter and attempted murder.

Legal teams for both men asked that the pair be re-arraigned on several lesser charges on Tuesday.

Both Thompson and Newman pleaded guilty as a secondary party to causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr Fleming on May 24, 2009, and they also admitted assaulting Mr McDaid causing him actual bodily harm on the same date.

Nine men have now admitted to various offences that occurred in the Heights area following a football match between Rangers and Celtic five years ago.