Kilrea: Man in court charged with murder of Cornelius O'Neill
- Published
Jason Tyrone Spence suffers from paranoid schizophrenia, the court was told
A man has appeared in court charged with murder following the fatal stabbing of Cornelius O'Neill near Kilrea, County Londonderry.
Mr O'Neill, 56, died on Tuesday in the Tamlaght O'Crilly area.
Jason Tyrone Spence, 33, from Millburn Street, in Cookstown, County Tyrone, appeared before a sitting of Londonderry Magistrate' Court on Thursday.
He will appear in court again next month.
A police officer said the victim had been stabbed by Mr Spence using a large knife in an unprovoked attack.
The stabbing was witnessed by the victim's partner who is the defendant's mother, the court heard.
Cornelius O'Neill was 56 years-old and from the Kilrea area, the police say
The officer said there was CCTV evidence.
The defendant fled the scene and was arrested in Cookstown with blood on his person and on his clothing, the court was told.
A defence solicitor told the court there was no bail being applied for.
He said Mr Spence suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and a mental health assessment would be required.
District judge Barney McElholm ordered an assessment be carried out on the accused.
He will appear again on 20 September.