Man appears in court charged with murder of Ellie Flanagan

A man has appeared in court via video link charged with the murder of Ellie Flanagan in County Fermanagh.

The 23-year-old's body was found at a house in Enniskillen on 7 March by police carrying out enquiries into a car crash eight miles away in the village of Tempo. Officers went to the house that the car was registered to where they discovered Ellie's body.

Martin McCarney, 45, from Enniskillen has been charged with murder, and possession of an offensive weapon (three knives) with intent to commit an indictable offence namely murder.

McCarney is the husband of Ellie's mother, BBC News NI understands.

Det Sgt Pauline Boyce told the court that she could connect McCarney to the charges.

He said he understood the charges against him.

McCarney's counsel told the court that no bail application would be made saying that "no issues would be dealt with today that would be for the trial".

He also made an apology on behalf of McCarney.

"The defendant is very conscious there is ongoing preparation for a funeral today and tomorrow and he wanted to say that he is truly and genuinely sorry for the pain and suffering caused to the immediate family and community of Enniskillen as a result of the events of the past week."

McCarney was remanded in custody to appear back at Enniskillen Magistrates court on Monday 30 March via video link.