One of two brothers charged with murdering the nephew of a Sinn Féin Assembly member has a psychiatric record, a court heard today.
Mr Patrick Byers (17) from Glenveagh Drive and Mr John Byers (22) from the Antrim Road, both in Belfast, were remanded in custody charged with the murder of Mr Ciaran Kelly.
Mr Kelly (35), whose uncle John Kelly is a Sinn Féin MLA for Mid-Ulster, was beaten to death in his flat on the Antrim Road on Sunday morning, March 2nd.
Belfast Magistrates' Court heard the two brothers are also charged with causing grievous bodily harm to Mr Kelly's girlfriend, Ms Karen McSorley, who remains in a stable condition in hospital.
A detective inspector told the court that officers were made aware that Mr John Byers had a psychiatric record.
He said that when charged, John replied "no" to both charges, while his brother Patrick replied "not guilty" to both charges.
The detective inspector said he believed he could connect both men with both the charges.
The brothers were remanded in custody until Monday, March 31st, when they will appear before the same court by a video link.
PA