A south Armagh woman has appeared in court charged with assisting the alleged killer of Bessbrook man Brian Phelan.
The father-of-two died after being stabbed on the Carrivekenney Road outside Newry on July 26, 2018.
Samantha Collins, of Parkview Close, Cloghogue appeared charged with perverting the course of justice, withholding information concerning an arrested person and assisting an offender at Newry Magistrates’ on Wednesday.
As the charges were read, it was heard that all of the offences were alleged to have occurred on July 26, 2018.
The defendant is accused of perverting the course of justice by assisting Daniel Carroll in the murder of Brian Phelan, withholding information she had about the murder and with assisting an offender.
Carroll, of Edward Street in Portadown, is alleged to have murdered Mr Phelan.
Appearing via videolink from her solicitor’s officer, the 26-year-old confirmed that she understood the charges and was connected to the same by a constable.
Defence solicitor John Murphy made no question to this connection.
Prosecution made an application for the case to be adjourned for four weeks in order for a date to be identified for a preliminary enquiry (PE), the legal process during which a case is referred to the higher court.
Deputy District Judge Laura Levers released the defendant on continuing bail and adjourned the case until April 7 for a PE date to be fixed in the matter.
