A Co Tyrone man is to face a charge of murder following the death of Stephen Holmes in Strabane earlier this month.
Mr Holmes (31) died in hospital on Saturday following the incident in the Beechmount Village area of Strabane on Monday February 3.
Prior to Mr Holmes’ death, Dylan McCrossan (31) of Beechmount Village appeared before the town’s magistrates’ court last week charged in connection with grievous bodily harm.
On Thursday, District Judge Oonagh Mullan was asked by the prosecution to withdraw that charge.
A new charge of murder on February 8 2025 was laid.
McCrossan was not present in court.
Relatives of Mr Holmes watched on from the public gallery during the brief hearing involving the brother of West Tyrone SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan.
The judge remanded Dylan McCrossan in continuing custody to appear again by video link on March 6.
Meanwhile, a funeral for Stephen Holmes will take place on Saturday at St Mary’s Church, Melmount.
A funeral notice said his death was “deeply regretted by his heartbroken mum, dad, sons, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and family circle”.
