Derry murder victim sustained multiple stab wounds, court hears

The trial of three men charged with the murder of a 52-year-old father-of-nine in Derry in November 2018 has heard the victim sustained multiple stab wounds.

Sean Rodgers (34) of no fixed abode, Derek Creswell (29) of King's Lane in Ballykelly and Ryan Walters (22) with an address in Crossgar, are all charged with the murder Edward Meenan whose body was discovered in a laneway behind Creggan Street in the early hours November 25, 2018.

They are also facing trial on a charge of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm on another man on the same time.

On the second day of the trial being held at Derry Crown Court sitting in Belfast several witnesses gave evidence from the scene on the night.

Sean Feeney gave evidence that he was returning home from work at around 2.30am and turned his car to go down the alleyway behind Creggan Street.

He said as he turned in, he saw what he thought was a piece of carpet lying in the alleyway, then realised it was the body of a man.

He said the body wasn't moving and was wearing just boxers and one sock.

He said after phoning the police, several other people came on the scene, people he believed were returning from the town.

Another witness who lived in the area of Creggan Street /Little Diamond gave evidence of hearing voices and what he thought was a shovel being dragged over concrete.

This witness said he didn't know what had happened until the next morning when police called.

He said when he went to the door he could see something burning.

Another man who lived in the area said that he was coming home on the night of November 24, he met Sinead White, at whose house the attack is alleged to have started, and two men near Creggan Street.
He said that the three were carrying bags he believed to contain alcohol and added they were 'all kind of out of it.'

Dr Amanda Burns also gave evidence of examining the body .

She said when she arrived the body was 'lying on its side in a pool of blood.

'The doctor said that there were four distinct types of injury on the body.

The forensic medical officer said there were 'multiple linear incisions' on the legs of the deceased.

She said some of these incisions would have been a foot long.

The court heard that there were 'multiple stab wounds' on the body in three different areas, including the belly and chest areas.

The doctor said there were also 'two curved lacerations' on the left side of the face and abrasions on the back consistent with being dragged.

The trial continues.