Joshua Adam Cotter pleads not guilty

A Belfast man has denied the murder of Shane Whitla, who was shot dead in Lurgan.

Joshua Adam Cotter, of Glenalina Road in the west of the city, also pleaded not guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life.

The 31-year-old appeared before Belfast Crown Court on Friday.

Mr Whitla was killed in an alleyway on Woodville Street in the town in County Armagh on January 12, 2023.

Police had previously stated that they believed he had been lured there by a phone call and that he had been threatened by a criminal gang called “The Firm” over alleged drug debts the night before his murder.

The arraignment of Jake Joseph O'Brien, formerly of Church Walk, Lurgan, who faces the same charges as Mr Cotter, was adjourned at the request of his defence team.

They said they would consider filing a motion to contest the charges against the 30-year-old.

Judge O'Hara said he would review the case again on September 20 and O'Brien's lawyers would then tell the court whether they would proceed with the motion.

A third man accused of Mr Whitla's murder was later shot dead.

Kevin Conway, 26, of Deeny Walk in Lurgan, was killed at a bail location in the Greenan area of ​​Andersonstown, west Belfast, on January 9.