Arrest warrant issued for courthouse attack accused

An arrest warrant has been issued for a man who allegedly threw boiling water over the brother of a murder suspect inside a courthouse.

Corrie McKenna, 34, from Sheskin Park, Greysteel, County Londonderry, is accused of inflicting burns on the man at Strabane courthouse, County Tyrone, almost two months ago.

He denies attempted grievous bodily harm with intent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and having an offensive weapon, namely a kettle of boiling water.

Richard McCrossan suffered serious burns to his face, arm and torso during the incident on 16 April, when a hearing was due to be held in a case against his brother, 32-year-old Dylan McCrossan.

In April, Mr McKenna was granted bail under a strict prohibition on entering courthouses in Northern Ireland.

He was scheduled to appear on Wednesday at Dungannon Magistrates' Court but failed to do so. No legal representatives were in attendance on his behalf.

After being advised that he had been formally called and there was no response, District Judge Francis Rafferty issued the arrest warrant.