Man Accused of Boiling Water Attack at Co Tyrone Court Remanded in Custody
A man has been left in fear following burn injuries to his face and upper body after an incident at Strabane Magistrates’ Court last week. The alleged assault occurred during a preliminary hearing for a murder case, heightening tensions at the courthouse.
Details of the Alleged Assault
Corie McKenna, 34, of Sheskin Park in Greysteel, Co Londonderry, is accused of throwing a kettle of boiling water at another man from within one metre. The victim suffered burns to his face, arm, neck, and back, requiring treatment at Altnagelvin Hospital before being transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital's burn unit in Belfast.
The incident took place outside a courtroom, shortly before 11am, as families of both the defendant and victim in a murder case were present. Police reported that McKenna was wearing a distinctive orange T-shirt and fled the scene immediately after the attack, leading to a scuffle between the two families.
Court Proceedings and Charges
At Dungannon Magistrates’ Court on Saturday morning, McKenna was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, maliciously attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, and possession of an offensive weapon with intent—namely, the kettle of boiling water. He denied the charges but acknowledged understanding them.
A detective constable stated that McKenna could be connected to the charges, based on witness identification by the victim and his partner. However, McKenna claimed in interview that he was at the court and engaged in a verbal exchange but was not involved in the assault.
Bail Opposition and Judicial Decision
Police opposed bail, citing the victim's fear of McKenna and potential repercussions, as well as the need to interview further witnesses. The judge described the charges as serious and refused bail, expressing concerns about the assault's severity, the victim's fear, and pending witness interviews.
Defence barrister Joe McCann argued for bail, emphasizing McKenna's presumption of innocence, his ties to the community, and the early stage of the investigation. He noted that many witnesses were unknown to McKenna and that there was no CCTV footage of the incident. Despite this, the judge maintained that the circumstances were too grave to grant bail.
Background and Next Steps
The attack occurred in connection with a murder investigation involving Stephen Holmes, who was killed in Strabane in 2025. The case is set to be mentioned again at Dungannon Magistrates’ Court on May 13, as police continue their inquiries into this shocking courthouse incident.
