Two men accused of the brutal murder of a 40-year-old mother-of-two in Banbridge on Saturday evening have appeared in court.
Glenn Robert King, 32, of no fixed abode in Lurgan, and Kevin Paul McGuigan, 42, of Annacloy Park in Hillsborough, are both charged with the murder of Karen Cummings at a property in Laurel Heights.
McGuigan is further charged with possession of a firearm, namely a Baikal double barrel shotgun and ammunition, namely 4 x 12 bore cartridges. He also faces a single count of handling stolen goods.
Both men, dressed in custody attire – grey sweater and tracksuits bottoms – and handcuffed, both confirmed their name and date of birth, and that they understood the charges against them.
A detective constable said he believed he could connect the pair to the charges.
Neither defence counsel made any contrary submissions and added that no bail application would be made for either accused. Both are due back before Banbridge Magistrates’ Court on January 9.
None of the facts around the alleged offence were relayed in court, however, it is understood Ms Cummings, a mother-of-two and well-respected paediatric nurse at Daisy Hill Hospital, suffered a gunshot wound to her head. Despite the best efforts of paramedics, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
A vigil is due to be held in Banbridge’s Solitude Park at 6pm on Thursday.
It is being led by Women’s Aid Armagh-Down.
Speaking at Monday night’s full council meeting, Lord Mayor Sarah Duffy – whose chosen charity for the year is Women’s Aid – spoke of how she, and many others, attended a vigil in Lurgan only last week to speak out on violence against women.
“We could never have imagined that just one week later we would be mourning another tragic loss of life, Karen Cummings from Banbridge, who was brutally murdered right here in our borough,” said Councillor Duffy.
“This devastating loss is shaken us all to our core and is a painful reminder of the urgent need to address the epidemic of violence against women and girls. My heart comes out to her family, friends and all who loved her. Our borough stands in your grief, and we will honour her memory by continuing to demand change.”
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