A MAN accused of a murder in Co Tyrone had been residing with the victim in the garage where he was killed, a court has heard.
The body of Gediminas Stauskas (32) originally from Lithuania, was found in a garage near Coalisland on October 15.
Darius Sikorskas (34) of no fixed abode, was arrested shortly after the grim discovery and charged with murder.
It also emerged on Wednesday that the victim had been sought by police in relation to a shooting incident in Newry shortly before his death, and for which his alleged killer has since been charged.
Sikorskas has also been accused of 15 other offences.
The details emerged during a bail application for a co-accused Marius Dzimisevicious (27) of Thomas Street, Dungannon, who is alleged to have assisted Sikorskas in “transportation”.
In opposing bail, a detective told Dungannon Magistrates Court CCTV evidence shows Dzimisevicious and a co-accused at the murder scene.
The court heard footage also shows him returning at least six times on the day of the murder and showed him bringing supplies of alcohol and food.
When arrested Dzimisevicious claimed to have no knowledge of the accused or the incident, the detective told the court.
In a later interview he claimed he did not provide information “due to a very real fear he would be in danger.”
It is alleged Dzimisevicious has associates who are heavily involved in drugs trading in the Mid Ulster and Newry areas, and there is a propensity to use firearms.
The detective said he feared Dzimisevicious posed a flight risk and could potentially interfere with witnesses if he secured bail.
It further emerged that the murder victim had been sought by police in relation to a shooting incident in Newry in September and had resided with the alleged killer in the Coalisland garage until “something happened between them which led to the deceased’s death.”
A defence lawyer said a bail address had been secured with the Sisters of Mercy in Armagh which “enforced a strict regime”, but the detective said neither bail checks or an electronic tag could be applied too someone staying at the address.
District Judge John Meehan refused bail and remanded Dzimisevicious into continuing custody to reappear by video-link next month.
