Murder accused's mother saw him hit Carrie Mullane but 'couldn't save her'

THE mother of a man charged with murdering Carrie Mullane (Noonan) has appeared in court in relation to withholding information.

Michael Lynch (35), from Trasna Park, Enniskillen is charged with murdering Carrie and preventing the burial of her body on October 10.

Days after his court appearance his mother Mary Lynch (69) from Windmill Heights, Enniskillen, was arrested in connection with the murder.

She appeared today (Wednesday) at Dungannon Magistrates Court, charged with failing to provide information knowing murder had been committed.

Offending is alleged to have occurred between October 10 and November 11.

In the time between the two being charged, a body was recovered from Lough Erne at Carrybridge and while identification procedures are ongoing, Carrie’s family have been informed.

A detective sergeant confirmed the charge against Ms Lynch could be connected explaining Carrie (39) a mother-of-four from Limerick, hadn’t been in contact with her family or friends, nor engaged on social media.

She was reported missing to An Garda Siochana who on learning she had travelled North with Lynch, alerted PSNI on October 29 describing her as a high-risk.

Police attended his home and he confirmed arriving with Carrie by bus on October 10.

From that point, all communication ceased and it is believed Carrie was murdered that night.

Lynch claimed he fell asleep on the sofa and when he woke Carrie was gone, later messaging him saying she had gone to Derry/Londonderry.

Enquiries continued and police returned the following day when Lynch’s account changed to claiming he fell asleep having been “knocked out by a substance administered by Carrie” and she sent an “incoherent message” ending their relationship

Lynch also claimed Carrie owed a lot of people money and stole his benefits when she left.

It emerged a campervan had been outside the property for many months but disappeared shortly after Carrie was last seen.

Lynch had requested a man tow the van to a scrapyard from where police recovered it.

The scrapyard owner confirmed buying van for £290 but was suspicious when Lynch poured bleach down the toilet, in the knowledge it was going to be destroyed.

Prior to this, Lynch had also asked the man who towed the van to give him a lift to Carrybridge to attend to his “sinking boat”.

Police returned to Lynch and he consented to a house search but within minutes withdrew this, telling old officers to leave as “his mother was distressed” .

However he permitted the Community Search & Rescue Team to carry on but nothing was found.

Meanwhile, forensic examination of the van revealed bloodstaining on a carpet, broken bed frame and shoe matched Carrie’s DNA.

On November 2 the case was upgraded to murder and Lynch was arrested.

The bloodstained carpet had been lifted from the living room of the house and 10 blood spatters were discovered on the television containing both Carrie and Lynch’s DNA.

On November 5, police sealed off a jetty at Carrybridge and a sunken boat was recovered and taken for examination.

Cell-site analysis indicated Carrie’s phone never left Enniskillen, however several SIM cards had been placed in it.

Lynch’s SIM card is believed to have been in Carrie’s phone which was used to arrange pick-up of the van to be scrapped.

Bail was refused due to concerns of witness interference and risk of reoffending given Lynch’s relevant record for significant domestic abuse against previous partners.

The detective also objected to his mother’s release stating when police attended Trasna Park to speak with Lynch and ultimately carry out a search she remained in bed but later travelled to the Republic of Ireland, although did return after he was charged,

On October 30 she had been seen on CCTV in Enniskillen purchasing a phone which she told police was a birthday present for her son, despite his birthday being in August.

She confirmed being in the property throughout when Michael, “Hit Carrie four-five times. She says she intervened and sustained injuries in the process. She helped Carrie up from the floor and the last time she saw her was when she walked out of the house to the campervan.”

During interview, “She repeatedly said ‘I couldn’t save the girl’. She also said she told Michael to take Carrie to hospital. In the aftermath she was terrified and locked herself in her bedroom.”

In addition, she confirmed Lynch removed the carpet and admitted being worried about this.

While aware of the missing person alert, she did not contact police as she did not believe Carrie was dead.

A defence barrister said Ms Lynch returned of her own volition and provided evidence to police.

Offering an address with her daughter in County Cork the defence said, “Ms Lynch is also a victim of domestic abuse at the hands of her son and has no local family support.”

District Judge Francis Rafferty said while he felt the application was premature, he was “minded” to grant bail but definitely not to an address outside the jurisdiction.

He remanded Ms Lynch in custody to appear again by video-link on November 25.