Derry SDLP councillor Jim McKeever suspended by party over historic sex charges
The Irish News reports that James McKeever (63) of Tamneyreagh Park, Eglinton, pleaded not guilty to six charges of indecent assault when he appeared at Derry Crown Court.
The former deputy mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council also denied two further charges of gross indecency with or towards a child.
The offences are alleged to have committed between August 1981 and December 1988.
The Crown Court heard the trial is likely to last five days.
The case was adjourned for three weeks, until October 15, for a trial date to be fixed.
McKeever, who has been suspended by the SDLP and had the party whip removed, was released on continuing bail ahead of his trial.