A Co Tyrone man accused of murdering Adam Krzan who sustained serious injuries following an assault, has been refused bail.
The victim, aged 71, was discovered at his home in Corrainey Park, Dungannon on February 27.
Emergency services attended however he passed away at the scene.
Four people were arrested in the days afterwards however all were released on bail pending further enquiries.
On April 3, searches were carried out in the Dungannon area during which a number of items including a vehicle were seized.
Following this, two men were arrested and later charged, appearing separately before Dungannon Magistrates’ Court.
Ryan Patrick Martin Kerr (33) from Derrylattinee Road, Dungannon is accused of murdering Mr Krzan and robbing him of money.
It is further alleged he was equipped for burglary by having a knife.
Meanwhile, Michael John Ennis (35) from Cloneen, Dungannon was charged with perverting the course of justice, assisting an offender and withholding information.
He was refused bail and spent some time in custody but was released following review of the evidence which saw the perverting justice and assisting an offender charges withdrawn.
To date Kerr had not applied for bail but defence lawyers mounted at application today at Dungannon Magistrates’ court.
A detective constable previously explained police received a report of an incident in the victim’s home and “met with a very disturbing scene with a large volume of blood.”
Mr Krzan was stabbed three times to the chest and twice to the neck.
When initially spoken to Kerr stated he knew Ennis, but he in turn denied this.
“It is our belief that information was false,” said the detective.
Objecting to bail in terms of Kerr the detective said the address put forward for release is not suitable.
There were concerns of witness interference and flight risk as Kerr had applied for a visa to enter Australia which was granted on February 26, the day before Mr Krzan’s murder.
One of the conditions for the application was to have no criminal convictions and Kerr failed to disclose that he has 34 offences on record.
Once the visa had been granted a friend of Kerr’s in Australia arranged and paid for flights when he was to travel on March 6 from Dublin.
Telecoms analysis has shown on March 1 Kerr still planned to fly to Australia later that week but was arrested in the meantime.
The detective said there was another incident relating to a drink-driving matter in 2023 when he was released on bail following arrest but failed to return on the allocated date.
Enquiries with his solicitor and family members revealed he had changed his phone number and gone to Southampton, with no intention of returning until January 2024.
A defence barrister contended bail could be granted to the address in question with “a myriad of conditions” imposed.
In terms of the fraudulent visa application, the defence advised: “I know very little about that however it is confirmed as being applied for before the murder. Along with that the police are in possession of his passport so he could not have travelled.”
Refusing bail District Judge Francis Rafferty stated: “There may well be a myriad of conditions the court could impose however I am not satisfied that the defendant has demonstrated a willingness to abide by any directions of the court.”
Kerr will appear again on October 1.
