Tyrone GAA captain Sean Hackett charged with murdering his dad Aloysius

TYRONE minor captain Sean Hackett has attended the funeral of his father he is accused of murdering with a gunshot.

Aloysius ‘Wishie’ Hackett was found dead in the rear yard at the family home in Augher, County Tyrone, on Friday.

The 18-year-old was granted compassionate High Court bail on Tuesday to attend his father’s funeral at St Macartan’s Church outside Auger.

Under the strict conditions approved by Mr Justice Mark Horner QC, Sean Hackett was not allowed access to a mobile phone or the internet while travelling to and from the funeral.

And he was only permitted to speak to two chaperones, including a solicitor and GAA manager Mickey Harte.

He was not allowed to speak to immediate family members.

Mr Justice Horner endorsed the conditions after they initially granted at Omagh Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning by district judge Bernie Kelly.

‘Wishie’ Hackett, 60, was a former chairman of St Macartan’s GAA club in the town.

During the court hearing, the prosecution revealed that Sean Hackett had borrowed a legally held rifle from a friend last November.

He borrowed it again on New Year’s Day. The weapon was later found in a car used by Sean Hackett and two cartridges were found in his pocket.

The court also heard that at 0ne point last year he even tried to strangle his mother.

Sean Hackett, who was arrested shortly after the incident, did not look at his family during the hearing in the magistrates court.

His mother, two brothers and sister were in court for the hearing along with a large number of supporters who waved to the teenager as he left the dock.

His mother was distraught throughout and broke down fully when bail was refused and compassionate bail granted.

Meanwhile, a 17-year-old man, who was arrested on Sunday, in connection with Mr Hackett’s death has been released pending a report to the Public Prosecution Service

The remains of ‘Wishie’ Hackett left his family home at 6a Aughnadarragh Road, Augher on Wednesday at 11 am for 12 noon Requiem Mass in St Paul’s Church.

He will be buried afterwards in St Paul’s cemetery.