Man charged with Lisburn death stands trial next June

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 24 Oct, 06:44 · Archive

A man has been charged with the murder of Barry Furfey, a 42-year-old found with serious injuries in Lisburn in September 2025.

A 38-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to murdering Barry Furfey, a 42-year-old found with serious injuries in an apartment block on Wardsborough Road in Lisburn just after midnight on 15 September 2025. Furfey was taken to Royal Victoria Hospital where he died at around 6am.

Jamie Laurie Spence appeared at Belfast Crown Court on Friday and was charged with the murder. His defence barrister John Kearney KC told Mr Justice Fowler that he would be seeking expert reports including psychiatric, pathology and toxicology assessments. Crown barrister Sam Magee KC estimated the trial will last around two weeks.

Mr Justice Fowler set the trial date for 1 June 2027. A co-accused, 39-year-old Melissa Atkinson from Foyle Road in Derry, was due to be arraigned on the same murder charge but this was delayed to next month. Spence was returned to custody following his arraignment.

How it is being reported

• Barry Furfey murder accused to stand trial in June 2027The senior judge then set the date for the murder trial to commence as June 1, 2027Belfast Live · 24 Oct, 06:00
• Lisburn murder accused to stand trial for death of Barry FurfeyBelfast Telegraph · 23 Oct, 15:25

In this story: Barry Furfey · Jamie Laurie Spence · Melissa Atkinson · Lisburn · Belfast Crown Court

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