A teenager accused of murdering a male and attempted murder of a woman and child is currently unfit to appear in court, a psychiatric assessment has found.
The accused, who cannot be identified due to his age, is accused of murdering Sidi Djalo (61) as well as attempting to murder his wife and child.
It is further alleged he threatened to kill the woman.
Offending is alleged to have occurred on August 29 in the Lisnahull area of Dungannon.
A detective constable previously confirmed the charges could be connected.
No further details surrounding the circumstances of the incident were disclosed during that first very brief hearing which lasted just under 10 minutes.
There was no application for bail at that stage with defence solicitor Jarlath Faloon stating, “The defendant has admitted the offences during interview. However, it is regrettable there was no formal psychiatric assessment while in custody. There was limited examination by a psychiatric nurse and a Force Medical Officer who deemed him fit for interview, but he has not been assessed at psychiatrist level.”
On that basis Mr Faloon requested a Magistrates Court Article 51 Mental Health Assessment which is a direction given by a judge to have a defendant who has been remanded in custody urgently examined by a consultant psychiatrist.
This was agreed and at the most recent sitting of Dungannon Magistrates Court Mr Faloon advised the youth has been assessed and found “currently mentally unfit.”
As a result, it has been decided the youth cannot appear in court, and it is unclear if or when he will be fit to do so.
This also means he is unable to instruct his lawyers which in turn may impact on any pending bail application.
District Judge Francis Rafferty accepted the youth’s mental health is “presently very fluid” and cannot appear at present and it’s unclear if or when this is expected to change and how the case will go forward.
The youth was remanded in continuing custody and his case will be mentioned again at Dungannon Youth Court on October 20, when an update is to be provided by the psychiatrist around fitness.
When news initially broke on the Saturday morning in question, it was reported that a child had been seriously assaulted.
Around an hour later PSNI issued an update advising a murder investigation had been launched into the death of a man and that a male had been arrested.
It was stressed there was ongoing risk to the public and no other suspects were being sought.
It transpired this was Mr Djalo who was found deceased at the scene while his eight-year-old daughter lay seriously injured alongside him.
PSNI officers provided First Aid to the child until paramedics arrived.
The child was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast where her condition was critical but she is said to be stable.
Mr Djalo’s wife and mother of the child also sustained injuries and was treated in hospital but was discharged the day after the incident.
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