A man accused of murdering Ms Eliza Ward (18) in the Belfast restaurant where they both worked was attacked in the dock at Belfast Magistrates' Court yesterday. Mr Gerard Patrick Stewart (20), of Iris Drive, Belfast, had been remanded in custody when a man forced his way into the dock, grabbed Mr Stewart by the neck and began punching him. Two police officers - a man and a woman - were unable to separate the two men until more officers arrived.
Ms Ward, a manageress at Cafe Society in Donegall Square East, Belfast, was stabbed to death on the premises on July 17th. The restaurant owner, Mrs Renee Lea (52), was stabbed in the back in the same incident. Mr Stewart, who was employed as a kitchen porter, is also charged with her attempted murder. He was remanded in custody until September 16th.