Stephen McKinney charged with wife’s boating murder in Co Fermanagh



A Strabane man has appeared in court charged with murdering his wife during a boating holiday with their children in County Fermanagh.

Stephen McKinney, who lived in Convoy in Co Donegal, appeared before Omagh Magistrates earlier.

Lu Na McKinney, who is originally from China, was on holiday in County Fermanagh with her husband and two children last April.

The 35-year-old went into the water at Devenish Island, Fermanagh.

Stephen McKinney was arrested last week and was charged with murdering his wife in court today.

The accused with an address at The Flax Fields, Convoy, Lifford, County Donegal, spoke only to confirm his name and that he understood the charge.

Objecting to bail, a detective inspector told the court that the police considered Mr McKinney a flight risk because he has money and property in China.

He also said there was a concern about further offending, as the police believed there was premeditation in this case.

The inspector said Mr McKinney had given his two children, who are aged 14 and 11, permission to speak to the police.

However, he said that so far, they were refusing to do so. The inspector said that in interviews, people had said they had a genuine fear about what Mr McKinney might do, if released.

Bail was refused and he was remanded in custody to appear again by video link in Enniskillen next Monday.

 



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