Brother of Murder Accused Attacked with Boiling Water at Strabane Courthouse

A man suffered serious burns after being doused with boiling water at Strabane Magistrates’ Court in County Tyrone on Thursday, 16 April 2026, according to multiple verified reports. The incident occurred ahead of a committal hearing in the murder case of Stephen Holmes, with the victim identified as the brother of the accused, Dylan McCrossan.

Details of the Attack

The attack took place shortly before 11:00 BST in the courthouse waiting area. According to the victim’s solicitor, Ciarán Shiels, the assailant came down the stairs carrying a kettle of boiling water and poured the entire contents over the man.

“He is extremely badly burned to the head, the neck and to his shoulders,” Shiels told BBC News NI. The victim was initially treated at Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry before being transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast for specialist burn care.

Connection to Ongoing Murder Case

The man attacked is the brother of Dylan McCrossan, who is charged with the murder of Stephen Holmes in February 2025. Both brothers are siblings of Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) MLA Daniel McCrossan.

The committal hearing had been scheduled to determine whether the case against Dylan McCrossan should proceed to trial. Proceedings were halted immediately after the attack, with District Judge Alana McSorley ordering the court to be cleared.

Police Investigation and Response

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed the suspect fled the scene and remains at large. Detectives have launched an investigation and are appealing to the public for any information that could assist in identifying and apprehending the attacker.

Officers are working closely with the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service to review security protocols following the incident. A court official was reported to have used a jug of water from a courtroom bench to cool the victim’s burns while awaiting emergency medical assistance.

Background on the Stephen Holmes Case

Stephen Holmes, 31, died five days after sustaining serious injuries in an alleged incident in Strabane on 3 February 2025. He was treated in the Intensive Care Unit of the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

Following his death, the PSNI upgraded the charges against Dylan McCrossan from grievous bodily harm to murder. No bail application has been made at any stage in the proceedings, and the circumstances surrounding Holmes’ death have not been fully disclosed in public hearings.

Official Statements

The PSNI reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety of all individuals attending court facilities. “We are treating this as a serious assault and are pursuing all lines of inquiry,” a police spokesperson stated.

Court officials confirmed that internal reviews are underway to assess how the attacker was able to bring a kettle of boiling water into the courthouse undetected.

The victim remains in hospital receiving treatment for severe scald injuries. His condition is described as critical but stable.