A row broke out in Strabane Magistrates’ Court ahead of a committal hearing in a murder case after the families of the victim and accused clashed.
An ambulance attended after a man was scalded on his face, neck and shoulder and being doused in boiling water at the doors into the courtroom.
It is understood the assailant was carrying a kettle which had been boiled elsewhere in the courthouse.
The case related to the murder of Stephen Holmes who suffered serious injuries during an alleged incident in Strabane on February 3, 2025.
The thirty-one-year-old was treated in the Intensive Care Unit of the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast where he passed away from his injuries five days later.
Following the attack Dylan McCrossan (32) from Beechmount Village, Strabane appeared in court charged with inflicting grievously bodily harm.
Following Mr Holmes’ death, the PSNI issued a statement advising that a murder investigation had commenced and the charges against McCrossan would be reviewed.
He was then brought back to court and charged with murder.
There has been no application for bail at any stage and circumstances of the incident have never been fully disclosed.
Today (Thursday) as a committal hearing to transfer the case for trial was due to take place, a scuffle broke out at the rear of the court causing District Judge Alana McSorley to immediately halt proceedings.
Seconds later a court official dashed into the courtroom and grabbed a jug of water from one of the benches and rushed back out.
This was used to cool the wounded man’s scald injuries while awaiting an ambulance.
He was taken to hospital for treatment to burns. It is understood he is a relative of McCrossan.
Around two hours later the court resumed but Judge McSorley said following consultation with the Office of the Lady Chief Justice in view of what has occurred, in court the committal was adjourned until May 14.
A PSNI spokesperson said: “Police responded to an incident at Strabane Magistrates’ Court at which has left a man injured and requiring hospital treatment.
“At 10.52am it was reported a man had thrown hot water over another man, causing burn injuries to his face and upper body. NI Ambulance Service also responded and took the victim to hospital for treatment.”
Detective Inspector Ballentine said: “The suspect is reported to have run away from the scene, and police efforts are ongoing to identify, local and apprehend the suspect We are liaising with NI Courts and Tribunal Service in regard to the incident. In the meantime, as enquiries continue to establish exactly what occurred, I am appealing to anyone with information, or footage which may have captured the suspect leaving the scene, to get in touch with police by call 101 quoting reference 409 of 16.04.26.”
