Brother of murder accused attacked at court with boiling water

It is understood the assailant was carrying a kettle which had been boiled elsewhere in the courthouse.

A man was attacked at Strabane Magistrates’ Court ahead of a committal hearing in a murder case.

An ambulance attended after the man was scalded on his face, neck and shoulder when he was doused in boiling water at the doors into the courtroom.

It is understood that the assailant was carrying a kettle of water which had been boiled elsewhere in the courthouse.

The case related to the death of Stephen Holmes, who suffered serious injuries during an alleged incident in Strabane on 3 February 2025.

The thirty-one-year-old was treated in the Intensive Care Unit of the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, where he passed away from his injuries five days later.

Following the attack, Dylan McCrossan (32) from Beechmount Village, Strabane, who is the brother of SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan, appeared in court charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Following Mr Holmes’ death, the PSNI issued a statement advising that a murder investigation had commenced and the charges against McCrossan would be reviewed.

He was then brought back to court and charged with murder.

There has been no bail application at any stage, and the circumstances of the incident have never been fully disclosed.

Today (Thursday), as a committal hearing to transfer the case for trial was due to take place, a commotion occurred at the door of the court, causing District Judge Alana McSorley to immediately halt proceedings.

Seconds later, a court official dashed into the courtroom, grabbed a jug of water from one of the benches, and rushed back out.

This was used to cool the wounded man’s scald injuries while awaiting an ambulance.

He was taken to the hospital for treatment of burns. It is understood he is a relative of McCrossan, but Belfast Live understands the victim is not SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan.

Around two hours later, the court resumed, but Judge McSorley said, following consultation with the Office of the Lady Chief Justice, in view of what had occurred, the committal in court was adjourned until May 14.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “Police responded to an incident at Strabane Magistrates’ Court, in which a man was left injured and requiring hospital treatment.

“At 10.52am it was reported a man had thrown hot water over another man, causing burn injuries to his face and upper body. NI Ambulance Service also responded and took the victim to hospital for treatment.”

Detective Inspector Ballentine said: “The suspect is reported to have run away from the scene, and police efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend the suspect. We are liaising with the NI Courts and Tribunal Service in regard to the incident. In the meantime, as enquiries continue to establish exactly what occurred, I am appealing to anyone with information, or footage which may have captured the suspect leaving the scene, to get in touch with police by call 101 quoting reference 409 of 16.04.26.

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