Damien Heagney: Blood matching murder victim found in accused’s flat

Following the discover of Mr Heagney’s remains, police searched the property of Mr McCourt.

Forensic samples including a swab from a smear of blood located on a bedroom door frame were taken from the flat and analysed.

Mr McHugh told the jury: “This sample of blood, we say, matched with Mr Heagney and you will hear expert evidence about that.”

Following the discovery of Mr Heagney’s dismembered remains, a property in Dungannon linked to Mr McCourt was searched by police and a pair of bolt cutters was found in a shed.

A piece of wire found around the remains was forensically examined and an expert formed the view that these bolt cutters could have cut the wire recovered around sections of the remains.

Mr McHugh also revealed that in January 2022, Mr McCourt contacted a vehicle recovery company and paid them to remove Mr Heagney’s BMW from Dromore.

The accused gave the company the car key and told them to leave the BMW at crossroads on the Omagh to Ballygawley Road, where it remained for several months.

Mr McCourt was subsequently arrested on 10 October 2022 and when he was asked if he had killed Mr Heagney, he replied: “No I did not.”

The jury also heard that Mr McCourt was questioned by police about the case for three days and in that time he replied no comment to virtually every question.

During the final interview which took place, Mr McCourt issued a short statement through his solicitor and said that from time to time other people had access to his vehicles without his consent.

During the prosecution’s opening speech the court also heard that in January 2022 Mr McCourt contacted a vehicle recovery service to retrieve a van that had been stuck in a location close to Cappagh reservoir.

The trial continues.