Northern Ireland

Two men charged with murder of Edward Meenan in Derry refused bail

Edward Meenan was found dead in an alleyway off Creggan Street in 2018.
Edward Meenan was found dead in an alleyway off Creggan Street in 2018. Edward Meenan was found dead in an alleyway off Creggan Street in 2018.

TWO men charged with the murder of Edward Meenan in Derry last November have been refused bail.

Sean Rodgers (31) of Little Diamond in the city and Ryan Walters (19) of Crawford Square are both accused of murdering the 51-year-old on November 25.

The body of Mr Meenan was found in an alleyway off Creggan Street. He had suffered injuries to his head and body.

At Derry Magistrates Court today, a police officer outlined objections to bail in Rodgers' case, stating there were fears he could offend and he would be unwilling to appear in court.

Ryan Walters is charged with the murder of Edward Meenan in Derry last November
Ryan Walters is charged with the murder of Edward Meenan in Derry last November Ryan Walters is charged with the murder of Edward Meenan in Derry last November

The officer also said the murder had led to "considerable tension and anger within the community" and Rodgers could "suffer at the hands of others".

Defence barrister Sean Doherty asked if it was the case that two of the three people charged with the murder had been forensically linked to the deceased but Rodgers had not, with the officer confirming this was so.

He also said a man who had accompanied Mr Meenan on the night he died had not identified Rodgers as being present at the time.

Mr Doherty said the scene had presented police with "a veritable gold mine of forensics" but as yet there was nothing to link his client and there was "not enough evidence to connect this man to the most serious of charges".

He also said that while there was CCTV putting Rodgers in the general area, his mother lived close by.

Sean Rodgers pictured at Derry Crown Court last November after being charged in connection with the murder. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
Sean Rodgers pictured at Derry Crown Court last November after being charged in connection with the murder. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin Sean Rodgers pictured at Derry Crown Court last November after being charged in connection with the murder. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin

The officer said there had been a meeting of forensic scientists in the case and they were confident their reports would be finalised by the target date of March.

Deputy District Judge Laura Ievers said it was "a sensitive and complex case".

She said there was evidence of a prima face case against Rodgers and the court was "unsettled by the possibility" of further alleged offending and refused bail.

In the case of Walters, the officer made similar objections as to the risk of offending and interference with witnesses.

The court was told that a target date for a full file in the case was February 25.

Defence barrister Eoghain Devlin claimed it was more likely to be two years before the case would be dealt with and said his client had made no attempt to leave the city nor to interfere with witnesses before his arrest.

However, Judge Ievers said the court was concerned at the risk of offending and refused bail.

Both men will appear again on February 14.