A 52-year-old who denies involvement in the murder of a man in Ballycastle has been released on bail.
John Keenan is accused along with his nephew Christopher Keenan of murdering Co Antrim labourer Anthony McErlain (48) in January last year.
During a bail application at Belfast Crown Court yesterday, it emerged that the victim's body was discovered lying face-down in the living room of a flat in the Broombeg View area of the seaside town.
Emergency services attended following a call to the ambulance control room at around 8pm on January 28, during which a caller stated that a man had his "head panned in" in a flat.
A Crown prosecutor said blood could be seen at the back of Mr McErlain's head, and when he was turned over it was apparent his throat had been cut.
"There was a considerable amount of blood around the wall, and there were fragments of a frying pan or saucepan lying close to the deceased. There was also a blue cord rope covered in blood lying close to him."
The barrister said John Keenan was initially treated as a witness.
He told police that while he was present in the flat on the day in question, he had fallen asleep and when he woke he saw Mr McErlain lying on the floor.
When later arrested on suspicion of murder, the 52-year old, whose address was given as Victoria Street in Belfast, said prior to falling asleep those in the flat had all been drinking.
Opposing bail, the prosecutor alleged that some of the claims made by Keenan "don't seem to tally".
The lawyer also spoke of concerns of a "major risk of flight".
The court heard that when Keenan and his nephew, of Broombeg View, Ballycastle, were ordered to appear at Coleraine Magistrates Court for a preliminary enquiry in February, he was living rough in London.
Officers from the PSNI travelled to London in March with a summons, and were told by Keenan that he would not be returning to attend court.
When he failed to attend a hearing in April, a warrant was issued for his arrest.
By this stage he had moved to Cardiff and he was arrested there in May.
A barrister for Keenan said after being interviewed as a witness he had moved to London "due to an urelated issue of a perceived threat being made to him".
She said the first time he was aware of the summons against him was "in and around April."
Mr Justice Colton was also told that analysis of footwear evidence has "further advanced" Keenan's version of events and may lead to the defence launching a 'no bill' application.
Regarding concerns of a risk of flight, the barrister said all Keenan's family links are in Northern Ireland, he has "no financial means whatsoever", and has already surrendered his passport.
Mr Justice Colton said he was willing to release the accused under stringent conditions including living at a suitable address in Portstewart, staying out of Ballycastle, observing a 9pm-7am curfew and reporting to police five times a week.
Keenan was also banned from drinking alcohol and being on licensed premises, will be subject to random breath tests, and was ordered not to contact his co-accused or any witnesses.
