Man charged with murder of UDR man in 1979

A Cavan man has denied the historic murder of a part-time member of the UDR.

James Donegan (68), with an address at Bruce Manor in Arvagh, appeared in the dock of Belfast Crown Court earlier this week.

He is facing three charges including the murder of Joseph Porter.

A farmer and part-time UDR member, Mr Porter (64) was shot and killed close to his home on the Creggan Road in Mountnorris, Co Armagh, in June 1979.

After entering the dock, Mr Donegan was charged with murdering Mr Porter on a date between June 22 and 25, 1979.

When asked by a court clerk if he pleaded guilty or not guilty to the charge, Mr Donegan replied “not guilty”.

He was then charged with possessing a firearm and ammunition, namely a Ruger Mini 14 rifle and assorted cartridges, on a date unknown between June 22 and 25, 1979, with intent to endanger life.

Mr Donegan was asked his plea and again replied “not guilty” to the firearms charge.

In addition, the accused was charged with belonging to the Irish Republican Army within the same time frame, and as with the other two charges he pleaded “not guilty”.

Following this, a Crown barrister told Mr Justice Fowler a list of “agreed witnesses” had been sent to the defence, 11 of whom are now deceased.

A defence barrister then revealed he would be seeking a fingerprint expert.

Mr Justice Fowler set a date for the three-week trial to start on February 8, 2027, but said he would review the case on September 18.

After no objections were raised, Mr Donegan was released on continuing bail.