Father-of-two Stephen McKinney, 41, arrives at Omagh Magistrates’ Court today
A father-of-two appeared in court today after being charged with killing his wife who was originally thought to have died in a boating accident.
Stephen McKinney, 41, is accused of killing Lu Na McKinney, 35, during a holiday with their two children near Devenish Island in County Fermanagh.
His wife of 15 years, who was originally from China, was initially believed to have died in a boating accident in April.
However, a detective inspector told Omagh Magistrates’ Court today that this was a premeditated crime.
McKinney lives in Convoy, County Donegal, but he is originally from Strabane, Tyrone.
The court was told he has travelled extensively throughout the world and has money and property in China.
A boat is moored next to Devenish Island in Northern Ireland next to a police boat in April
The couple had been holiday with their two children near Devenish Island (file picture)
The court was told that the couple’s children, aged 11 and 14, were the only other people on the boating holiday. Police have yet to interview them, the officer said.
A defence lawyer told the court that McKinney has ‘vehemently denied the allegation’. ‘This was an accident and was treated as one until recently,’ he added.
McKinney was also charged with possession of a Class C drug, namely Zopiclone.
He was remanded in custody to appear at Enniskillen Magistrates’ Court via videolink on December 11.
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