Trial of Damien Heagney murder begins

In his opening statement, Mr Gary McHugh, Senior Counsel for the Prosecution, told the court about the evidence relating to telephone communication between Damian Heagney and Mr Mc Court on New Year’s Eve 2021.

The court heard that according to the police investigation, Mr Heagney’s last known movements were between Cookstown and Dromore on December 31, 2021.

That night Mr Heagney was driving his BMW and called the troubleshooting service after experiencing problems with his car.

The breakdown service then dropped off Mr Heagney and his car near where the defendant lived.

Mr McHugh also told the court that blood samples taken by police forensic teams from the doorframe of the larger bedroom of Mr McCourt’s property matched Mr Heagney’s.

The court also heard there was evidence that someone near Gartland Terrace saw the passenger rolling carpet into the back of the van and also saw a large dark stain in the pile of carpet.

This carpet was then loaded into the back of a van.

The trial continues.