A 61-year-old company director has appeared in court accused of withholding information about the murder of Derry civil servant Paul McCauley.
Charles Buckingham, of Nash Court Gardens, Margate, Kent, faces three charges of withholding information concerning an arrestable offence, namely murder and grievous bodily harm with intent.
The defendant, who made no reply to the three charges, is alleged to have committed the three offences on 16 December 2015.
Mr McCauley was attacked and left in a vegetative state while at a friends barbecue in 2006.
He died nine years later in a care facility in June 2015.
An investigating officer told Derry Magistrates Court he believed he could connect Mr Buckingham to the charges.
The district judge ordered the accused to have no contact with anyone involved in the case.
Last year, Piper John McClements, previously known as Daryl Proctor, was charged with Mr McCauley's murder.
In April, 28-year-old Matthew Brian Gillen, from Kennedy Place in the Fountain area of the city, was charged with murder.
Mr Gillen is also charged with GBH and attempted GBH.
A defence barrister for Mr Buckingham said there was a slight issue to the connection of the charges which would require a further hearing.
Buckingham's case was adjourned until June 8 and has been excused from attending court on that date.
