Antrim man accused of assaulting pensioner returns to court on manslaughter charge – Irish News

An Antrim man has appeared in court charged with the manslaughter of pensioner Tony Miskimmon.

Marcus Fleming, 21, was previously charged with an alleged assault on the 74-year-old earlier this month.

But the prosecution barrister, appearing via video link at Antrim Magistrates’ Court in Ballymena on Tuesday, confirmed “manslaughter charges will be laid against the defendant” following Mr Miskimmon’s death.

Fleming, of Cedarmount in Antrim, was formally charged with the manslaughter of Mr Miskimmon on 6 November, and he confirmed that he understood the charge; A police officer testified that he believed he could connect him to the crime.

Defense lawyer Grant Powles confirmed there were no problems with the connection.

Mr Miskimmon was punched in the head and knocked unconscious on Station Road in the town on Saturday, November 2, and died the following week.

In court on Tuesday, District Judge Nigel Broderick said the charge of manslaughter was a “significant development”.

The prosecutor’s office requested that the case be postponed for a month “to update the entire file.”

Judge Broderick ordered Fleming to be taken into custody again on December 24.