A 24-year-old man who choked a Liverpool fanatic to death claimed he acted in self-defence following a row at a flat in Newtownabbey, Co Antrim.
Police said they received a report of an incident at an address at the Barna Square area in the Rathcoole area at around 8.15pm on Friday.
Ryan McNab died from his injuries at the scene despite the best efforts of emergency personnel.
READ MORE: Crowd gathers on Wexford street as garda is injured in horror armed stand-off
Police quickly launched a murder investigation following the death.
Mark Doak of Barna Square in Newtownabbey appeared before Belfast Magistrates' Court on Monday via videolink from Antrim custody suite, charged with Mr McNab's murder.
He was dressed in a grey sweatshirt and confirmed that he understood the charge against him, reports Belfast Live.
A PSNI detective sergeant told the court she could connect the accused to the charge, adding that police would be objecting to bail in the strongest possible terms.
Members of Mr McNab's family could be heard openly sobbing as police outlined that ambulance control had received a call from Doak just after 8.20pm on Friday last, October 21, stating that Mr McNab was dead.
When emergency services attended the scene, Mr McNab was found lying unconscious on the living room floor, and despite Doak's attempts at CPR, he was later pronounced dead at the scene.
Doak admitted to police that he had choked Mr McNab "out to death" in an act of self-defence after being hit with a glass bottle.
The defendant was transferred to Antrim Area Hospital for treatment of a hand injury before being taken into police custody.
The accused was interviewed on five separate occasions by police over the weekend and was fully open to all questions.
During the interviews, Doak stated that Mr McNab had attacked him in his home after he'd been invited over for a drink.
The court heard that the two men ended up scuffling on the floor, during which Doak put Mr McNab in a wrestling pose to incapacitate him and did so until the injured party stopped moving.
When Doak realised Mr McNab was not breathing, he raised the alarm, adding that he "did not intend to kill him and it had been an accident".
It was alleged that the argument arose after Mr McNab said he was going to visit Doak's ex-girlfriend's property to "do her in", and police say this may have been a catalyst for the murder.
The police officer said bail was being objected to given concerns around the bail address being provided, the risk of further offences and as Doak may be a danger to the public.
Defence solicitor Stewart Ballentine said his client is totally devastated by what has occurred.
Mr Ballentine added: "He and the now deceased were in the defendant's flat where they shared drinks. The mood was perfectly in order, but during the course of the evening, the injured party said he was going to go up my client's ex-girlfriend's home, break down her door and carry out an assault on her.
"It's because of that that the mood changed and the defendant says the injured party rose, lifted a vodka bottle and smashed it on the defendant's head. The defendant's left hand is in a plaster cast, but he used his other arm in order to defend himself, and as a result, this unfortunate incident arose.
"He did not in any way intend to kill Mr McNab and is totally distraught. It's a life-changing event for both parties, and he sympathises with the injured party's family."
Given the serious nature of the charge and ongoing police investigation, bail was refused by District Judge Oonagh Mullan, and Doak was remanded in custody to appear in court again on November 21.
On Sunday, Mr McNab's family issued a statement and released a picture of Ryan and his daughter Ryleigh.
They said: "We are all totally devastated by the loss of Ryan. Ryan was a loving son, brother and daddy and a Glentoran and Liverpool fanatic. We will miss him so much, especially his beautiful little girl Ryleigh. We are all absolutely heartbroken by what has happened.
"We would be so grateful if people could respect our privacy at this difficult time while we try to come to terms with what has happened, and please refrain from sharing any footage or images."
READ NEXT :
- Heavy rain to hit Ireland again with surprising temperatures in store
Irish hiker dies after ten meter fall in the Tramuntana Mountains in Mallorca
I'm A Celebrity returns in matter of weeks as show heads back to Australia
Social welfare October bank holiday payment date changes with some paid early
Peter Andre shows fallen bricks from roof as his house is struck by lightning
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter
