A 19-YEAR-OLD man accused of the manslaughter of Belcoo schoolboy Oisín McGrath has been returned for trial.

Francis McDermott, of Camphill Park, Newtownbutler, is charged with unlawfully killing the 13-year-old St. Michael's College, Enniskillen pupil on February 9, 2015.

McDermott, who is currently in his first year at university, appeared before Fermanagh Magistrates Court this morning for a preliminary enquiry in his case.

Members of the McGrath family, including the deceased's parents Nigel and Sharon, were in court for the short hearing.

Before the preliminary enquiry began, defending solicitor, Myles McManus, asked to make a statement on behalf of his client.

Mr McManus told the court: “I am specifically instructed on behalf of the defendant to express his continuing sympathy to the family of the deceased, and understanding the stress that the criminal justice system has had and may impose on them, we will endeavour to mitigate that loss as far as possible.

“What happened on February 9, 2015 has devastated two families. While we have instructions to represent Francis McDermott, he and his family have asked that we state publicly that their ordeal is nothing compared to the loss and devastation that the death of Oisín McGrath has caused to his family.

“Francis will carry the memory and effect of what happened in the schoolyard on that day with him for the rest of his life.

The solicitor added: “While we seek to represent Francis to the best of our ability, our intention is to try to minimise the pain that we know that this process will have for the McGrath family.”

District judge, Peter King, replied that Mr McManus had expressed “laudable sentiments” in the context of an extremely difficult set of circumstances.

Prosecuting counsel, Simon Reid, then told the court that, based on the papers submitted, the defendant had a case to answer.

Mr McManus, who stood alongside his client, answered that the case was not formally conceded, before adding that he had no contrary submissions to make at this stage.

District judge, Mr King, observed that he was “satisfied” that McDermott had a case to answer.

The defendant then declined to answer the charge against him at this stage.

He further declined to give evidence himself, call any witnesses or tender a written statement of a witness.

The judge released the defendant on his own bail of £500 to return for his arraignment at Dungannon Crown Court on Tuesday, February 21.