Bail variation for accused in Frank Kerr postal worker murder

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STRANDS of hair are to be forensically tested in a case of a 60-year-old alleged IRA man charged with the murder of a Newry postal worker 25 years ago.

Newry Magistrates Court was given a fresh update in the case yesterday by a PSNI detective inspector using a covert cypher identity.

James Seamus Fox, of Carwamen Road, Jonesborough, is also charged with possession of a firearm, robbery and being a member of a proscribed organisation in November 10, 1994.

The defendant stood in the Newry dock to apply for a bail variation in the amount of times required to sign at a PSNI station, “in order for him to seek work”.

Frank Kerr (52), from Camlough, was shot in the neck while working at the Royal Mail sorting office on Clanrye Avenue/ Edward Street.

Over £130,000 was stolen in the IRA heist.

Detectives from the PSNI's Legacy Investigations Branch brought the charges against the accused earlier this year.

The investigating officer in the case brought forward an update due to unexplained delays.

The officer informed the judge that some DNA from the original investigation file was not found where it should be.

“However, there is DNA on the postal uniforms, as well as outstanding forensic matters,” said the DI.

“We are now expecting DNA results from seven hair strands, which will start next week.

“We expect there to be results by mid- January to February,” added the detective.

The defendant, a former resident of the Republic, has lived in the south Armagh area for 17 years.

The daytime killing took the “first victim of peace” following the August 1994 ceasefire by the IRA.

A group of IRA member drove into the sorting office unmasked and dressed in Royal Mail uniform to carry out the cash robbery.

Mr Kerr had attempted to prevent the robbers from taking cash a pistol was fatally fired.

At the time the IRA admitted its members were involved in the raid on the Newry office, but denied it was a breach of the ceasefire.

The collapsed HET team had been investigating the murder before it closed down with suspects thought to have been identified.

Mr Fox strenuously denies the charges.

District judge Eamonn King granted the bail variation for Mr Fox to now sign only once a week at a police station rather than three times.

The case was adjourned to January 22.