Northern Ireland

Man (40) remanded into custody accused of murder of Nathan Gibson (25) in Craigavon

Paul John Joseph Whitla appears at Lisburn Court. Picture by Pacemaker.
Paul John Joseph Whitla appears at Lisburn Court. Picture by Pacemaker. Paul John Joseph Whitla appears at Lisburn Court. Picture by Pacemaker.

A Co Armagh man has been remanded into custody accused of the murder of Nathan Gibson in Craigavon.

Standing in the dock of Lisburn Magistrates Court in a grey tracksuit with a cut to his forehead, Paul John Joseph Whitla (40), of no fixed address, was accused of the murder of the 25-year-old last Thursday.

A police constable said he believed he could connect Whitla to the charge and as a defence solicitor confirmed he was not applying for bail, District Judge Rosie Watters remanded him into custody to appear again at Craigavon Magistrates Court, via video link, on February 14.

As the accused was being taken to the cells, Mr Gibson’s partner Joanna Black stood up to watch him go while an older man shouted before being silenced by a friend.

None of the facts were heard in court yesterday but it is understood Mr Gibson was discovered fatally wounded on a towpath near Lake Road in Craigavon late on Thursday.

The area was closed throughout Friday as police and forensics teams examined the area and the Legahory estate home of Mr Gibson was also cordoned off.