Victims' families told trial to start in October next year

A HOTELIER and a security contractor have denied charges linked to the deaths of three teenagers.

- BY ASHLEIGH MCDONALD

Lauren Bullock and Morgan Barnard, both 17, and 16-year-old Connor Currie lost their lives following the fatal incident at Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown, Co Tyrone, on March 17, 2019.

They were among a crowd of young people queuing to enter a St Patrick's Day disco when the fatal crush occurred.

Their families packed into the public gallery of Belfast Crown Court on Friday where two men were arraigned and a date for the three-month trial was set.

Hotel owner, Michael McElhatton, 58, from Rock Road in Moneymore, Co Derry, appeared in the dock alongside self-employed security staff member Seamus Mitchell, 47, from Mullan Road in Coagh, Co Tyrone.

Both men were charged with unlawfully killing Connor, Lauren and Morgan. When the three charges of manslaughter were put to McElhatton, he entered “not guilty” pleas to all three.

After the same three charges were put to Mitchell, he also entered “not guilty” pleas.