Killer who dismembered and dumped man's body in reservoir jailed for at least 24 years

Cate McCurry, PA

A man who murdered, dismembered and dumped another man’s body in a reservoir in Co Tyrone has been sentenced to a minimum of 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.

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”.

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.

“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.”

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.”