
Date set for inquest into death of London man found at Giant's Causeway
Lester McLennan, 20, of South Vale, was reported missing to police last November 2nd, sparking a search operation.
Advertisement
The keen hiker had been on a family holiday in Northern Ireland, when he took a solo visit to see the natural beauty spot on the region's north coast.
His body was found on February 23rd at the Giant's Causeway close to Bushmills.
A brief review hearing at Belfast Coroner's Court on Monday morning was told the inquest is likely to be heard on the planned date of September 8th.
Mr McLennan's mother, Lalitha, was among those who attended the hearing remotely.
Advertisement
Coroner Joe McCrisken said they are in a 'good position to proceed on the date that has been listed, September 8th'.
The inquest is to be heard in one day at Coleraine courthouse.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


BreakingNews.ie
3 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Murder victim was ‘beloved' father and grandfather, family say
A man who was killed in Co Down has been described by his family as a 'beloved' father and grandfather. The body of Stephen Brannigan, who was in his 50s, was found in a house in Marian Park in Downpatrick on Sunday afternoon. Advertisement Police are investigating if his death is linked to an attack on a priest in the town, Fr John Murray. A 30-year-old man is being questioned on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. In a statement, Mr Brannigan's family said: 'In the midst of our shock, pain and total heartbreak at the news of the brutal murder of our beloved dad, grandad, son and brother Stephen yesterday, we want to convey our sincere thanks to all those who have surrounded us with such love and care in the hours that have followed. 'We want to express our particular thanks to those who organised and gathered for the beautiful prayer vigil in St Brigid's Church in the town on Sunday evening. Advertisement 'It means so much to us at this difficult time and reflects the very special people who make up the Marian Park and wider Downpatrick community.' The family said they wanted to convey their concern for Fr Murray, who remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital. The statement added: 'Fr John is highly respected by our family and by all in our community. St Patrick's Church in Downpatrick where Father John Murray was hit on the head with a bottle. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA. 'It is so typical of his kindness that he was willing to reach out in trust to someone he believed was in distress, despite the obvious risk to himself. Advertisement 'With so many others, we pray for his full recovery and thank him for his own prayers for us which he has conveyed through the priests of the parish. 'Stephen was known among his neighbours and friends as someone who was always willing to help out, ready to do whatever needed to be done for the good of others. 'Even the day before he died, he was tending the graves of friends and neighbours, as he did, almost every day, the grave of his late wife Dorenda, who died five years ago from cancer. 'Stephen faced many difficult issues in his life. We know his life was not perfect. But for us, he was our dad, our grandad, our son and our brother. Advertisement 'His rock through all of this was Dorenda. We pray they will be reunited now in perfect peace and love.'


The Independent
3 hours ago
- The Independent
Murder victim was ‘beloved' father and grandfather, family say
A man who was killed in Co Down has been described by his family as a 'beloved' father and grandfather. The body of Stephen Brannigan, who was in his 50s, was found in a house in Marian Park in Downpatrick on Sunday afternoon. Police are investigating if his death is linked to an attack on a priest in the town, Fr John Murray. A 30-year-old man is being questioned on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. In a statement, Mr Brannigan's family said: 'In the midst of our shock, pain and total heartbreak at the news of the brutal murder of our beloved dad, grandad, son and brother Stephen yesterday, we want to convey our sincere thanks to all those who have surrounded us with such love and care in the hours that have followed. 'We want to express our particular thanks to those who organised and gathered for the beautiful prayer vigil in St Brigid's Church in the town on Sunday evening. 'It means so much to us at this difficult time and reflects the very special people who make up the Marian Park and wider Downpatrick community.' The family said they wanted to convey their concern for Fr Murray, who remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital. The statement added: 'Fr John is highly respected by our family and by all in our community. 'It is so typical of his kindness that he was willing to reach out in trust to someone he believed was in distress, despite the obvious risk to himself. 'With so many others, we pray for his full recovery and thank him for his own prayers for us which he has conveyed through the priests of the parish. 'Stephen was known among his neighbours and friends as someone who was always willing to help out, ready to do whatever needed to be done for the good of others. 'Even the day before he died, he was tending the graves of friends and neighbours, as he did, almost every day, the grave of his late wife Dorenda, who died five years ago from cancer. 'Stephen faced many difficult issues in his life. We know his life was not perfect. But for us, he was our dad, our grandad, our son and our brother. 'His rock through all of this was Dorenda. We pray they will be reunited now in perfect peace and love.'


Sky News
6 hours ago
- Sky News
'Devastated' boyfriend covered ex-partner's body with blanket and left her undiscovered on sofa for years
A "devastated" boyfriend who found his ex-partner dead on his sofa covered up her body with a blanket and left her undiscovered for years, a court heard. Jamie Stevens, who carried on living in the flat in Torquay, Devon, as the body of Anouska Sites remained in the lounge, has admitted she "deserved better", his lawyer said. The 51-year-old was jailed for 14 months at Exeter Crown Court after pleading guilty to charges of preventing a lawful burial and perverting the course of justice. The second charge related to Stevens lying to police in a witness statement about his knowledge of the whereabouts of Ms Sites. Ms Sites' death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be submitted to the coroner in due course, Devon and Cornwall Police have said. The last known sighting of Ms Sites, who who would now be 36, was in May 2022 and her remains were not discovered until May 2025, Exeter Crown Court heard. Hollie Gilbery, prosecuting, told the court Ms Sites was reported missing to the police in April 2023. "Inquiries confirmed she had last been seen by police in May the previous year," she said. "Unfortunately, due to her vulnerabilities, including mental health problems and addictions, she had been in fairly regular contact with the police." Ms Gilbery said contact was made with Stevens as a former partner of Ms Sites in April this year, making inquiries about her whereabouts. "He told the police he had no contact with Ms Sites since February or March 2022," she said. Police spoke with Stevens again on 27 May and he told them he was no longer living at the flat in Upton Road. Officers later went round and gained entry. "The officers who attended described the flat as being like that of a hoarder with rubbish, faeces and bottled urine scattered throughout the property," Ms Gilbery said. "Police started to search the flat, and upon lifting a blanket in the living area they discovered a skeletal arm and hand. "Officers did notice there were various fragranced items scattered around the lounge, inferring they must have been to mask any smells." Stevens, of Reddenhill Road, Torquay, who was in a relationship with Ms Sites between 2011 and 2014, was arrested and told police it was her body. "He explained she had come to his flat around January 2023 asking if she could stay the night," the prosecutor said. "He went to his own bed and left her sleeping in the living room. "The next day he had gone out, returning at about 11.30pm, assuming that Ms Sites would have left, but instead he found her on the sofa. "He explained he threw a blanket over her body and continued to live in his bedroom and never really returned to the lounge." Paul Dentith, defending, described Stevens's actions in not reporting the death of Ms Sites as a "passive failure". "Until he signs the statement saying he hasn't seen Ms Sites for a number of years," he said. "That is the perverting the course of justice, which moves it to more than just passive non-reporting. "Perhaps obvious, but when one fails to report something so serious in the first day or so, it becomes rather self-perpetuating. "The fear of reporting it... even a week or so later." Mr Dentith said Stevens had told him: "Ms Sites was a lovely person, my partner, my friend, and I was devastated when she died, and I miss her terribly. She deserved better." Jailing Stevens for 14 months, Judge Anna Richardson said: "This is an absolutely tragic case. "You were in a relationship with Anouska Sites. Ms Sites had a number of difficulties, including substance misuse. "It seems at some time between mid-2022 and April 2023 Miss Sites went missing. She was not reported missing until April this year. "There is no reason on the basis of the post-mortem to doubt your account of having found Miss Sites dead in your address.