Third member of same family charged in connection with Carrie Mullane murder

A THIRD person has appeared in court in connection with the murder of Carrie Mullane (Noonan) (39) a mother-of-four from Limerick, who was reported missing amid concerns she hadn’t been in contact with her family or friends, nor engaged on social media.

On learning she had travelled North with Lynch An Garda Siochana alerted PSNI on October 29 describing her as high-risk.

Last Saturday, Michael Lynch (35) from Trasna Park, Enniskillen, was charged with murdering Carrie and preventing the burial of her body on October 10.

On Wednesday, his mother Mary Lynch (69) from Windmill Heights, Enniskillen, was charged with failing to provide information knowing murder had been committed, between October 10 and November 11.

Today (Thursday) Kenneth Lynch (31), a cousin of Michael Lynch and with the same address, appeared at Strabane Magistrates Court accused of withholding information and assisting after a murder had been committed.

A detective sergeant confirmed the charges against him could be connected and set out further details of what occurred.

She explained Kenneth Lynch was present in the house with both Michael Lynch and his mother when police called for a welfare check on Carrie.

He was noted to be “highly agitated irritated at the amount of time police were coming to the house.

He claimed he never heard or saw Carrie at the house and had no further information.

After Michael Lynch’s arrest on November 2, his cousin “had fled” to the Republic of Ireland with Mary Lynch which police believe was an attempt to evade arrest, but returned on November 9 when he was arrested.

During interview he confirmed being present in the house when Michael Lynch, “Struck Carrie around four times to the head. He then picked up what is believed to be hoover and used this to strike her again to the head.”

Carrie fell to the floor unconscious where Michael Lynch is alleged to have continued kicking and punching her.

While Kenneth Lynch claimed he tried to intervene, he accepted he did not call police.

Later that night he said Carrie was “Slumped in a chair in the kitchen making gurgling noises and bleeding from a large gash to her head.”

Kenneth Lynch left the house for a time until Mary Lynch phoned him at 4am to say, “Michael had left the house, and it was safe to return.”

Around 11am the next date Michael Lynch arrived back at the house and informed him, “Carrie was dead, threatened to kill him and his family if he told anyone.”

He estimated Carrie’s body was hidden in the campervan parked outside the property for about two weeks and confirmed accompanying to a secluded area of Lough Erne.

“Carrie’s body was wrapped in black plastic sheeting and weighted down with large rocks before being place in the water, “said the detective.

Kenneth Lynch provided the area and police recovered the body on November 9.

Her cause of death was injuries to the head and neck.

A defence solicitor told the court there would be no application for bail at this time but it is expected to be made next week.

District Judge Alana McSorley ordered him to appear again by video-link on November 17.