Killer who dismembered and dumped man's body in reservoir jailed for at least 24 years
Stephen McCourt (41), from Riverview in Augher, in Co Tyrone, was found guilty of murdering Damien Heagney following a trial which ended in April this year.
Advertisement
Mr Heagney (47), from Cookstown, was last seen alive at the end of December 2021.
He was reported missing in July 2022 and his partially dismembered remains were recovered from Cappagh Reservoir the following month.
Mr Justice Stephen Fowler told Belfast Crown Court that the dismemberment was 'callous in the extreme' and added greatly to his family's distress, in particular the victim's mother.
He also said that the disposal of Mr Heagney's body in the reservoir was an additional step taken to 'conceal, destroy evidence, cover the murder and subvert police investigation'.
Advertisement
The family of Mr Heagney said the actions that led to his death were 'depraved'.
A family statement said: 'The last few years have been torturous for our family.
'No one should ever have to deal with the heartache of losing a son and a brother, yet we have to wake up every single morning knowing that Damien was murdered.
'Damien's life was taken so cruelly, and the actions that followed were depraved – more than we can ever begin to express.
Advertisement
'It's actually impossible to stop thinking about what happened to Damien. We go over it, again and again, and it haunts us.
'Yet, among the torment, we've each taken comfort from the genuine kindness and support shown by others.
'We would like to thank the jury who put in so much time and effort, listening to all the evidence to bring back a guilty verdict, especially in such a difficult case. We will always be grateful to them.'
A senior police officer said the murder was the 'most senseless loss of a life.'
Advertisement
Speaking following the sentencing of Mr McCourt, Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson said: 'While the exact cause of Mr Heagney's death has never been determined due to the decomposition of his remains, the post-mortem did identify possible stab wounds to his head, neck, arms and legs.
'This was the most senseless loss of a life.
'It was a murder made even more disturbing by the way in which Mr Heagney's body was subsequently dismembered, concealed in a number of packages, and ultimately disposed of in a reservoir.
'These actions were callous, cruel and brutal beyond comprehension.
'Today, working in partnership with the Public Prosecution Service and thanks to the support of NI Water, internal police teams and members of the public, Stephen McCourt has finally been held accountable.
'I know that Damien's loving family have understandably been left broken-hearted, and my thoughts remain with them today.
'They have suffered unimaginably, yet have managed to show remarkable dignity and patience throughout this entire process.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
12 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Sharp rise in Blue Badge misuse by dead people's relatives... with some claiming they were parking with the permit for 'sentimental reasons'
An unprecedented rise in people using the Blue Badges of those who have died has seen relatives claim they were parking with the permit for 'sentimental reasons' and beliefs they had 'inherited the badge'. This sharp increase has led to more than 77 cases of people being caught misusing the deceased's parking permits in Nottingham since the start of 2025. In 2024, there were 53 cases of misuse of deceased badges, which have been cancelled since the holder's death. Yet with four months to go until the end of the year, there have already been 24 more cases reported by the city council. In some of the cases, explanations from drivers were 'I thought I could use it because it was still in date' and 'I used it for sentimental reasons'. While others said, 'I need my own badge, so I thought I'd use this one until I sort out mine', as another believed that they had 'inherited the badge with the car'. One claimed that 'nobody told me I couldn't', with other excuses including 'it was only for seven minutes' and 'it was early and there were loads of spaces, so I don't think I've done anything wrong'. Since the start of 2025, more than 500 cases of Blue Badge misuse have been identified. This could be for a myriad of reasons aside from using the deceased badges, including fake badges, stolen badges, expired badges, or the use of that badge has been revoked. Marcus Hall, a parking compliance officer for Nottingham City Council, has been working in parking since 2001 and has been with the council since 2004. He said: 'You used to have to make your own badges back in the day. 'Now it's been centralised by the Department for Transport, which has made enforcement much easier. 'Deceased badges have gone up; we have 35 out of 100 open cases for them, but stolen and fake badges have also gone up. 'People buy these on social media sites like Facebook Marketplace. 'The vast majority of them are stolen from London, because they don't have different rules there. 'The fake ones, people are making them, and they are getting better, but they are still rubbish. 'It's not just the use of it that is taking space away from a space user; it's taking money away from the public purse. Our main focus is on people taking that space away. 'The vast majority of misuse cases are disabled spaces in the city.' Being caught using a cancelled badge could result in Penalty Charge Notice issues, potential vehicle removal, and legal action. In some recent prosecutions, fines of over £1500 were issued. A recent case, in March 2025, a Ford Fiesta was found displaying a badge that had been cancelled over two years ago, after the death of an 80-year-old Nottingham resident. The driver was the deceased's son, and after being caught, he described his actions as 'selfish and stupid'. Councillor Linda Woodings, executive member for regional development, growth and transport at Nottingham City Council, said: 'Our message is simple - if you misuse or abuse a Blue Badge in Nottingham, you will be caught and face legal consequences. 'The council is absolutely committed to protecting this vital scheme, which supports people with genuine mobility needs. Fraudulent use is not only illegal, but selfish and unfair. 'It directly undermines the whole purpose of the scheme, which is to support people with significant mobility impairments. 'When badges are used fraudulently or by those not entitled, it reduces the availability of accessible parking spaces for those who genuinely need them. 'This can lead to increased stress, reduced independence and missed appointments or opportunities for disabled people. 'Ensuring the integrity of the scheme is therefore not only a matter of enforcement but also of equity, accessibility and dignity for legitimate badge holders. 'We make no apology for holding those to account who misuse Blue Badges in our city.'
Daily Mail
15 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Ice cream seller, 41, who was stabbed to death is pictured for the first time: Woman and man arrested after 'murder'
A man who was stabbed to death in the middle of the street has been named by police as 41-year-old Shazad Khan. The Metropolitan Police were called to reports of a stabbing in Monks Park, Wembley, at around 6.10pm on Tuesday. Mr Khan was treated by London Ambulance Service paramedics but, despite their best efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene. His family are being supported by specialist officers. A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder, while a 31-year-old woman was detained at the scene on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. They both remain in police custody. A blue forensics tent has been erected on the street following the stabbing on Tuesday Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, local policing commander for north-west London, said: 'Our thoughts remain with Shazad's family and friends at this unimaginably difficult time. 'This incident will rightly cause concern across the community, but intelligence at this stage leads us to believe there is no wider threat to the public. 'Detectives are conducting a thorough and fast-paced investigation, and locals can expect to see an uptick in police presence in the area. 'Anyone with any information – particularly dashcam or doorbell footage from the time of the incident – is urged to speak to us as a matter of urgency.'
Daily Mail
44 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Father who desperately tried to save his wife when she was crushed by a falling tree branch as they walked through park pays tribute - as police urge witnesses to come forward
A heartbroken husband has described his wife as the 'most beautiful woman in the world' after she was killed by a falling tree branch during a family day out at a park. Madia Kauser, 32, from Blackburn, had been walking with her five-year-old daughter, nine-year-old son and husband at a local beauty spot when a branch fell towards them. The mother had been pushing her daughter in a pram, and in a final desperate act she was able to push her daughter to safety before taking the full force of the branch. Her husband, Wasim Khan, 33, was just yards ahead with their nine-year-old son when the branch fell, but was powerless to act in time during the shocking episode in Witton Country Park at around 8.30pm on Monday, August 11. He rushed to her side, but little could be done for his tragic wife, who relatives say adored her children. Mr Khan has today spoken of his devastating loss and how he 'she was my comfort, my partner in life and the love of my life'. He said: 'My wife, a mother of two, a daughter, sister and a friend we lost to a tragic event that came on the way home from a family day out in the park. 'She was the most beautiful woman in the world, she did everything for our two children, she did everything she could for anyone and would bring smiles whenever she entered the room. 'She was my comfort, my partner in life and the love of my life. We have so many great memories, went through pain together and started a family together. 'Honestly, I feel completely lost without her and I do not know how to put into words how much I miss her face, her character and her presence. My one and only.' Mr Khan was playing football just yards ahead with the couple's nine-year-old son when the branch fell. Speaking of the moment he battled to save his wife as she lay injured, he said: 'I rushed to her. I tried to save her, she was still breathing.' He also revealed his wife's haunting last post on Snapchat - a picture of a tree which she had taken while they were leaving the park. Describing how the tragedy unfolded, Mr Khan said: 'I was playing football with my son and kicked the ball in the wrong direction and we were going after it. 'I heard a crack and the tree just came down. There was no wind, nothing. The tree was standing straight, not even leaning, and then it just came down. 'She was hit by a branch but it had the full weight of the tree behind it and that is why the council had to cut it all down. Speaking of the moment he battled to save his wife as she lay injured, Mr Khan said: 'I rushed to her. I tried to save her, she was still breathing.' 'I rushed to her. I tried to save her - she was still breathing.' Mr Khan called emergency services, who rushed to the scene but were unable to save his wife. He went on: 'I cannot praise the paramedics enough. They were there in six minutes and the doctors came from the local hospital but nothing could be done. 'I have spoken to someone at the coroners office and they tell me she had chest fractures and her lungs had collapsed. He added: 'She was the most beautiful and loyal person you would ever wish to meet. She was loved by many but especially by her children. We are left here without her.' And he added: 'The last picture she took was of a tree. She took it as we were leaving the park. 'She told me it was time to go home. She said she wanted to shower and feed the children. 'She has left us. Now there is just me and my children.' Two days after the fatal incident, Blackburn council completely cut down what remained of the tree from which the branch fell, as well as lopping off branches from several other nearby trees. A joint investigation is underway between Lancashire Police and the Health and Safety Executive, and detectives are asking anyone with information to come forward. Detective Inspector Iain Czapowski said: 'This is an absolutely tragic incident which has cost a young woman her life and my thoughts are with her loved ones. 'We are working closely with our colleagues from the Health and Safety Executive and with the co-operation of the council to try and establish the full circumstances of what happened, and I would like to speak to anyone with information which could assist with that. 'I am especially keen to speak to anyone who actually saw what happened on that fateful night and I would urge them to contact us.' The accident happened just yards from the park's Big Cover wood, where trees form the majority of the habitat. Relatives from all over the country gathered at Blackburn's Madina mosque two days after Madia's death where the family were hoping a funeral could take place sometime in the evening. Former mayor and still sitting councillor Zamir Khan MBE, an uncle in the tight-knit family, said Madia's body was still with the coroner. He said: 'Her little girl told me her mother pushed her out of the way as the branch fell. 'Madia was a loving, doting mother and a very caring person. 'The older boy was walking with his father in front and could not believe what happened. 'It is very hard for the children. I do not think they will ever walk in that park again.' In a statement, the council said it was 'deeply saddened' after the accident and confirmed the tree had been felled. The authority's chief executive, Denise Park said: 'Our thoughts and heartfelt condolence are with the family and friends of the person who has lost their life at this very difficult time.' He added: 'Witton Park is a much-loved community space, and the safety of everyone who visits is of the utmost importance to us. 'Our thoughts remain first and foremost with the family at this very sad time.' A cyclist who rides through the park every day said: 'I have seen loads of fallen branches before, but it is mainly because of high winds. 'There wasn't even a breeze when this poor woman was killed. It is utterly heartbreaking. 'I shudder to think what her poor children and husband are going through.' Many people walking there today were unaware of the tragedy and thought the council were carrying out unnecessary tree work. One said: 'I was initially cross that they had cut the tree down until someone told me what had happened. It doesn't bear thinking about.' Local councillor Paul Marrow said: 'There have been concerns about ash dieback disease and the number of dead trees in Witton Park and across the borough. 'The council needs to make regular, thorough inspections of the trees in the park to ensure they are safe.'
