The father of an alleged murderer has applied to have his own bail varied in order to attend a funeral on Sunday.
Daniel McAuley, with an address in Corcreeny Place in Lurgan, today (Friday) lodged an application to attend the funeral of Elizabeth Rainey – the mother of alleged killer Brandon Rainey – in Ballymena.
Brandon Rainey is charged with the murder of 21-year-old Ballymena woman, Chloe Mitchell, on June 3, last year.
McAuley – Rainey’s father – is currently on bail in Lurgan having allegedly, according to defence counsel Michael Wilson, “gone online and has sent messages to people connected to the high profile case of his son Brandon Rainey who is in custody for murder”.
The 53-year-old was today applying to have his bail conditions varied in order for him to attend his former partner’s funeral on Sunday.
Mr Wilson said McAuley’s former partner “unfortunately passed away after a long illness”.
“He has a child with the lady who has now passed away [and] he seeks to go and pay his respects,” adding that the pair had been in a relationship for over 10 years.
Explaining the “wider background”, Mr Wilson continued: “The defendant is the father of Mr Brandon Rainey, who is currently on remand for murder, a vey high profile murder in Ballymena.
“These offences of which my client is charged with relate to an allegation of harassment arising out of that incident. It is alleged that the defendant has been online, on social media (TikTok) and he has harassed certain members of the community in respect of issues his son had at the time.
“These have been widely reported. It’s an extremely high profile case. He denies these offences. He has been on bail since he was first charged in May of this year and this case is not moving forward at all.”
Mr Wilson said that there have been no breaches during that time and suggested that his client’s Article 8 rights are engaged – the right to respect for private and family life.
District Judge Michael Ranaghan heard how the relationship ended more than 20 years ago but that he “remained close to this lady – even more so since their son has been remanded for murder”.
Constable McDonald, objecting to the bail variation, said police had contacted family members of the deceased who “do not want him there”.
The constable added: “His attendance will be disruptive and upsetting for everyone involved; they want to have a quiet service.”
The constable said the community in Ballymena “would be put out” if McAuley were to attend on Sunday.
Judge Ranaghan denied the application, stating: “The family don’t want him there. I think that alone is enough for the court to refuse. Mr McAuley can certainly pay his respects in other ways at some stage down the line.”
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