A youth accused of murdering an Omagh schoolgirl, Sylvia Fleming, whose body was cut up after she was strangled, is to be allowed to spend Christmas Day with his mother. The 16-year-old, who cannot be named, was granted compassionate bail in the High Court in Belfast yesterday.
Mr Justice Girvan said the youth, who has been held in a remand centre since June, could leave it at 9.30 a.m. on Christmas Day and must return by 7 p.m.
A Crown lawyer opposed the application on the grounds that police were concerned that if people knew his whereabouts, "his own safety would be in danger."
She said that following the discovery of 17-year-old Ms Fleming's body in the foundations of a house there had been considerable civil disorder and intimidation of the families of the accused. A barrister, Mr Martin O'Rourke, said the officials in charge of the unit did not consider there was any risk of the youth absconding.
"If he was a sentenced prisoner in the same unit he would be released on licence on Christmas Day," added Mr O'Rourke.
Mr Justice Girvan said that in the circumstances he would grant compassionate bail.
He directed that the youth must remain in the company of two sureties who had to sign bail bonds in the sum of £400 each.