Northern Ireland

Two men appear in court charged with murder of Karen Cummings

The pair were remanded in custody

Glenn King
Glenn King

Two men have been remanded in custody after appearing before a judge charged with the murder of Karen Cummings in Co Down.

The 40-year-old children’s nurse was found unconscious at a house in the Laurel Heights area of Banbridge on Saturday evening and died a short time later.

Police have said she suffered a head injury.

Glenn Robert King, 32, a Lurgan man of no fixed abode, and Kevin Paul McGuigan, 42, from Annacloy Park in Hillsborough, Co Down, appeared before Newry Magistrates’ Court via video-link on Wednesday morning charged with the murder of Ms Cummings.

Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Major Investigation Team have launched a murder inquiry following the death of a woman in Banbridge. Detective Inspector Miller said: “Police received a report at approximately 6.30pm on Saturday evening, 14th December of an unconscious woman with a serious head injury inside a house in the Laurel Heights area of the town. “Officers attended, alongside colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service who provided medical treatment at the scene. “Sadly the woman, who has been named as 40-year-old Karen Cummings, was pronounced deceased a short time later. A post-mortem examination will take place in due course. Two men have been arrested in connection with the investigation. “A 42-year-old man was arrested at the scene on Saturday evening, 14th December on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody as enquiries continue.
Karen Cummings

McGuigan is also charged with possession of a firearm, namely a double-barrelled shotgun, and ammunition with intent to endanger life. He is facing a third count of handling stolen goods, namely a double-barrelled shotgun.

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Neither man applied for bail during the short hearing before district judge Eamonn King.

The judge remanded the two accused in custody to appear before court again on January 9, again via video-link.