Strabane Council Vice Chair and brother in court on assault charges

The vice-chairperson of Strabane District Council and her brother have been accused of assaulting a local SDLP constituency representative.
Sinn Fein Cllr Michelle McMackin of O’Nolan Park, Strabane and Malachy Finbar McCrossan of Glennfinn Park, Strabane have been charged with assaulting Daniel McCrossan on July 6 last year.
They are also accused of disorderly behaviour in the Farmers Home Bar on Railway Road in the town on the same date.
Neither of the defendants were present in court and solicitor Canice McManus said McMakin denies both charges against her.
He did not enter any pleas on behalf of her brother and asked for more time to look at the transcripts of police interviews with him.
They will appear back before Strabane Magistrates Court on May 1 when a contest date will be set for McMackin and pleas to the charges are expected to be entered by her brother.