Man accused of inflicting burns on man in courthouse granted bail

A man who allegedly threw boiling water over the brother of a murder accused inside a courthouse is to be released from custody, a senior judge has ruled.

Corrie McKenna, 34, is accused of inflicting burns on the victim during an attack carried out in Strabane, County Tyrone.

He was granted bail under a strict prohibition on entering courthouses in Northern Ireland.

McKenna, of Sheskin Park in Greysteel, County Londonderry, faces charges of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent, causing actual bodily harm and possession of a weapon - namely a kettle of boiling water. He denies the charges.

Prosecutors told the High Court on Thursday that the victim, Richard McCrossan, was targeted during an encounter on 16 April.

He had attended Strabane Magistrates' Court where a hearing was to be held in the case against his brother, 32-year-old Dylan McCrossan.

Dylan McCrossan, from Beechmount Village in the town, has been charged with the murder of Stephen Holmes, 31, in February 2025.

Crown counsel Charlene Dempsey described McKenna as a friend of the dead man's family.

Opposing his application for bail, counsel said: "The injured party is terrified that there will be further repercussions."

Defending counsel, Sean Doherty, acknowledged an altercation took place in the courthouse where words were exchanged with his client.

But he stressed: "[McKenna's] instructions are that he was not involved in the assault."

Granting bail to the defendant, Madam Justice McBride ordered him to keep out of Strabane and stay away from the victim or other potential witnesses.

She further directed: "He is not to enter any courthouse except for his own case."