FOUR men and a woman appeared in court yesterday on charges linked to the murder of Lisburn man Paul Smyth.
The 50-year old was found shot dead in the living room of his Coulson Avenue home on Friday June 23, 2019.
The five appeared at Belfast Crown Court yesterday where they all denied involvement in the murder.
James Holmes (33) from Lawnmount Crescent in Lisburn and 31-year old James Andrew Thomas McVeigh, whose address was given as Maghaberry, were jointly charged with murdering Mr Smyth on a date between June 17 and June 22, 2019.
Both men appeared separately via a videolink with Magaberry, and when the charge was put to each man, they both replied 'not guilty.' The pair were also charged with - and denied - attempting to murder Rachel Reid and attempting to murder Gareth Reid on June 23, 2019.
In addition, Holmes and McVeigh were charged with possessing a sawn-off shotgun in suspicious circumstances on June 25, 2019, and two counts of possessing firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life. They denied the charges.
McVeigh also denied a charge of perverting the course of justice on June 25, 2019 by destroying a mobile phone.
Also charged with two counts of attempting to murder both Rachel Reid and Graham Reid on June 23, 2019 was James Robert Stewart. The 30-year old, whose address was given as Maghaberry, also appeared via a videolink with the prison.
He denied the two counts, and of possessing firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life on June 23, 2019.
Stewart was also charged with and denied. withholding information.
Christina Flanaghan (29) from Longstone Street in Lisburn faced the same charge of withholding information about the murder.
She also appeared via a videolink with her solicitor's office and also denied the charges.
Ryan Mark Megarry (38) from Salia Avenue in Carrickfergus, was charged with encouraging or assisting offenders on June 18, 2019.
Mr Justice O'Hara heard that the case involved over 100 clips of CCTV footage.
He said he would review the case in March, when it is hoped a date for the trial will be fixed.
