Northern Ireland

Three men to face trial for murder of Karol Kelly

Karol Kelly was murdered following an assault in Derry in March last year
Karol Kelly was murdered following an assault in Derry in March last year

THREE men have been ordered to stand trial accused of the murder of Derry man Karol Kelly.

The 35-year-old was stabbed to death following an assault at a house party in Grafton Street in the Rosemount area of the city on March 4 last year.

Michael Dunlop (18), of Fern Park in the Galliagh area of the city, appeared first in the dock of Belfast Crown Court separate from his two co-accused.

Defence counsel Fiona Doherty QC told Mr Justice Colton that the teenager was being arraigned separately from the other defendants in the case "for a number of reasons''.

He pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Kelly and also denied inflicting the father-of-five grievous bodily harm with intent.

The scene of the murder of Karol Kerry in the Grafton Street area of Derry city .
The scene of the murder of Karol Kerry in the Grafton Street area of Derry city .

Dunlop further pleaded not guilty to a third charge of "doing an act to pervert the course of justice'' by disposing of knives.

Brothers Gary Anderson (22) and Sean Anderson (20), whose addresses are given on court papers as c/o of Hydebank Wood Young Offenders Centre, later appeared at the same court for their arraignment hearing.

Both denied a charge of murdering Mr Kelly.

All three defendants were remanded back into custody to await the start of their trial in September this year.

The jury trial is expected to last up to three weeks.