Castledawon murder victim James McDonagh died following an assault outside a bar in Toomebridge
A FEMALE PSNI officer has face a court accused of perverting justice in connection with the murder of Co Derry man James McDonagh.
The 28-year-old died in hospital last month days after he sustained severe head injuries outside The Elk Inn restaurant and nightclub in Toomebridge.
Constable Cathy Thompson faced two counts of perverting the course of justice when she appeared at Magherafelt Magitrates’ Court today.
She is further accused of withholding information.
The 33-year-old is alleged to have committed the offences between January 10 and 16.
She is currently suspended from duty on full pay.
One charge of perverting the course of justice related to a text message which she allegedly sent.
The message stated: “Yeah, don’t have anything in the house that you should not have. They will search the whole house for clothing.”
The second charge of perverting the course of justice relates to a second message which read: “Tell him to behave and say nothing”.
A detective sergeant told the district judge that he believed the defendant could be connected to the charges.
The defendant was released on continuing bail.
The case has been adjourned until April.
A 24-year-old man has been charged with the murder of James McDonagh.
Finbar McCoy, a 24-year-old joiner, from Loughbeg Road, Toomebridge, denied a charge of murder but admitted assaulting Mr McDonagh.
In reply to the murder charge, he said: “I can’t bring words together to say how sorry I am.
“I feel so sad for the family, but I did not murder James McDonagh.”
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