Violent offender charged with murdering Carrie Mullane and preventing burial

THE partner of Carrie Mullane (Noonan) has appeared before a special sitting of Dungannon Magistrates Court charged with her murder.

Michael Lynch (35) from Trasna Park, Enniskillen, appeared by video-link from police custody where he was further charged with preventing the burial of her body October 10.

A detective sergeant confirmed the charges could be connected and explained Carrie (39), a mother-of-four from Limerick, hadn’t been in contact with her family or friends, nor engaged on social media, which was out of character.

She was reported missing to An Garda Siochana who on learning she had travelled North with Lynch, alerted PSNI on October 29 describing her as a high-risk missing person.

Her family had serious concerns for her welfare given how Lynch treated her and his violent record.

Police attended his home and he confirmed he and Carrie arrived by bus on October 10.

From that point on all communication ceased and it is now believed Carrie was murdered that night.

Lynch claimed he fell asleep on the sofa and when he woke Carrie was gone, later messaging him saying she had gone to Derry/Londonderry.

Enquiries continued and police returned the following day when Lynch’s account changed to claiming he fell asleep having been “knocked out by a substance administered by Carrie” and she sent an “incoherent message” ending their relationship.

Lynch also claimed Carrie owed a lot of people money and stole his benefits when she left.

Information was received that a campervan had been outside the property for many months but disappeared shortly after Carrie was last seen.

Lynch had requested a man tow the van to a scrapyard which he did and from where police recovered it.

The scrapyard owner confirmed he bought the van for £290 but was suspicious when Lynch poured a bleach down the toilet, in the knowledge it was going to be destroyed.

It later emerged prior to this, Lynch also asked the man who towed the van to give him a lift to Carrybridge to attend to his “sinking boat”.

Police returned to Lynch and he consented to allow a search of the house but within minutes withdrew this, telling officers to leave as “his mother was distressed” however he permitted the Community Search & Rescue Team to carry on but nothing was found.

Meanwhile, forensic examination of the van revealed a bloodstained carpet, broken bed frame and shoe which matched Carrie’s DNA.

On November 2 the case was upgraded to murder and Lynch was arrested.

The bloodstained carpet in the van had been lifted from the living room of the house and 10 blood spatters were discovered on the television containing both Carrie and Lynch’s DNA.

On Thursday, police sealed off a jetty at Carrybridge and a low-loader and crane arrived.

A diver entered the water and by afternoon, a sunken boat had been recovered and before being taken away for examination.

The detective explained Lynch confirmed traveling to Enniskillen with Carrie and staying at the Trasna Park house, but when he woke the following morning, she was gone.

He claimed she messaged him saying she had gone to Derry/Londonderry however extensive enquiries found no evidence to suggest she ever left Enniskillen.

According to cell-site analysis Carrie’s phone never left Enniskillen however a number of SIM cards had been placed within it.

Lynch’s SIM card is believed to have been placed in Carrie’s phone and was used to arrange the pick of the van to be scrapped between October 22 and 25.

Objecting to bail the detective said, “There are concerns of witness interference … Some people did not wish to become involved out of fear of the defendant. Due to his violent tendencies we believe he could at the very least threaten others to help him abscond. He is also wanted for a serious assault from earlier this year.”

In addition, “There is a significant record in the Republic of Ireland and he has spent extensive time in custody, particularly for domestic violence of previous partners. Others were too afraid to make complaints. In one instance he poured boiling water over a partner in 2015 and while under investigation for that took another ex-partner to an address where he held her captive for 21 hours threatening extreme violence. She only escaped by jumping out a window.”

The detective concluded, “Since 2014 and 2025 there have been 10 orders in respect of domestic violence and multiple child welfare reports, leading police to believe he is neglectful and violent to those most vulnerable in society,”

Defence counsel Blaine Nugent contended there is no direct connection to Lynch murdering Carrie but accepted investigations are ongoing.

He urged bail to be granted with strict conditions however District Judge Conor Heaney rejected this stating, “I am not satisfied the risks presented can be managed.”

On hearing this, Lynch who had remained impassive and almost motionless throughout the hearing, dropped his head.

He will appear again by video-link at Enniskillen Magistrates Court next month.