Northern Ireland

Kayden McGuinness (3) died 'after sustaining 13 blows to the head'

Liam Whoriskey pictured during a previous court appearance. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
Liam Whoriskey pictured during a previous court appearance. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin Liam Whoriskey pictured during a previous court appearance. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin

A three-year-old boy died after sustaining 13 blows to the head, a court has heard.

Liam Whoriskey (23), of Glenabbey Gardens in Derry, is charged with the murder of Kayden McGuinness on September 17 last year.

During a bail application today, Derry Magistrates Court was told that the child was found dead at a property in the Bogside by the defendant at around 9.50am.

His mother had put the child to bed the previous evening before going out, leaving Whoriskey in charge of Kayden and a six-month-old, and she returned the next day after the child was found dead.

Whoriskey told police he heard Kayden playing for about an hour before going to sleep.

He said he drank four Guinnesses and didn’t hear anything else until finding the child dead the next morning.

Kayden McGuinness (3) died after receiving 13 blows to the head
Kayden McGuinness (3) died after receiving 13 blows to the head Kayden McGuinness (3) died after receiving 13 blows to the head

In May, pathology reports revealed the cause of death to have been 13 blows to the head inflicted around the same time, causing swelling to the brain.

The court was also told that the child had suffered two black eyes and a fractured rib in the weeks prior to his death.

Whoriskey allegedly said these injuries occurred when the child hit himself with a toy.

Bail was opposed due to the fear of further alleged offences and also a risk of public disorder if Whoriskey was released.

A police officer told the court there is believed to be a paramilitary threat against the accused.

Defence barrister Eoghain Devlin asked if his client had observed his police bail conditions since last September and was told he had.

In response to a question about the fear of public disorder, the police officer said there was "a lot of tension in the city" in relation to the case.

The barrister said Whoriskey had been "walking about the city day and daily" and no-one had said anything to him.

However, District Judge Barney McElholm said he had "no doubt" that if Whoriskey was released to an address in the city there would be public disorder.

Mr Devlin suggested an address in Donegal but Judge McElholm said the "people who make threats don’t recognise the border".

He added that "whoever did this, if they could kill a child heaven knows what they could do".

Whoriskey was remanded in custody to appear again on July 23.