Cousins in court on murder charge
Two cousins appeared in court today charged with the murder of a father-of-six whose killing has sparked days of violence in west Belfast.
Francisco Notarantonio (aged 18) of Whitecliff Parade in Ballymurphy, and Paul Burns (aged 23) from Dermott Hill Park, Ballymurphy, appeared at Belfast Magistrates Court charged with murdering Gerard Devlin last Friday.
The 39-year-old father-of-six was stabbed to death in an attack in Whitecliff Parade as he arrived at his partner’s home to collect his children for the weekend.
On Tuesday a cousin of the accused, William Notarantonio, and his father, Christopher, appeared before the same court also charged with the murder.
The killing is understood to be the culmination of a six-year feud between the families.
Belfast Magistrates Court was told today that when charged Notarantonio said: “I have given a full account. I am sorry to hear Gerard Devlin is dead.”
Burns, when charged, replied: “Not guilty. I have given a full account of what has happened.”
A detective inspector told the court she believed she could connect both men to the charges and to that of causing an affray, which they also faced.
Notarantonio was also charged with attempted murder last Friday.
In response to questions from defence solicitor Aidan Deery the inspector confirmed the men had gone voluntarily to the police and had co-operated fully with the police inquiry.
Tensions have been running high since the killing, with a series of arson and petrol bomb attacks on homes in the area.
Mr Deery told the court that because of the trouble the families of the accused had purposefully not attended court today to ensure there were no disturbances.
He said that they would not be applying for bail from the High Court because of the violence in the community at present, which he claimed was being orchestrated.
The men were remanded in custody to appear at the same court by video link on March 7.
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