Man denies murdering father of four in Lurgan

A 30-year old man has pleaded not guilty to the January 2023 murder of father-of-four Shane Whitla.

Mr Whitla, who was 39, was shot dead in an alleyway in the Woodville Street area of Lurgan.

Jake Joseph O’Brien, whose address was given as HMP Maghaberry and who is formerly of Church Walk in Lurgan, appeared at Belfast Crown Court where he was arraigned on two charges arising from the fatal shooting.

As well as Mr Whitla’s murder, Mr O’Brien is accused of possessing a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life on the same date.

After being asked how he pleaded to the second charge, O’Brien again replied “not guilty”.

Mr O’Brien’s barrister told the judge the defence would be seeking a number of expert reports ahead of the trial.

These, he said, included instructing a medical expert, a firearms expert and “potentially” an imagery expert.

A co-defendant appeared in court last September and was charged with murdering Mr Whitla and possessing firearms and ammunition with intent.

Joshua Adam Cotter, 32, from Glenalina Road in Belfast, entered “not guilty” pleas to both charges.

A third man who was charged with Mr Whitla’s murder was later shot dead.

Kevin Conway, 26, of Deeny Walk in Lurgan was killed at a bail address in the Greenan area of Andersonstown in west Belfast on 9 January.

No date for the murder trial to commence was set today but Mr Justice O’Hara said he would review the case on 20 June.

Following this, O’Brien was remanded back into custody.