Darryl Valroy Young: Bogie triple-murder committal hearing moved from Bowen to Mackay after safety fears

A last-minute change of venue for a triple murder accused has been granted after fears the regional courthouse wouldn’t be able to protect witnesses or him — even with six extra tactical police officers. See why.

Daryl Young is charged with three counts of murder and attempted murder following the shooting deaths of three people in Bogie, North Queensland.

A last-minute change of venue for a triple murder accused has been granted after fears the regional courthouse wouldn’t be able to protect witnesses or the accused — even with six extra tactical police officers.

Darryl Valroy Young, the alleged murderer in the Bogie triple massacre that took the lives of Mervyn and Maree Schwarz and Maree’s son Graham Tighe, will be spared from travelling to and from a Whitsundays watch-house to Bowen as a committal hearing takes place later this month.

On Tuesday, the Mackay magistrates court heard why police had ‘concerns’ over the safety of Mr Tighe, Mr Young, officers of the court, and members of the public as there was still “angst” between the families and in the community.

Police prosecutor Sheena Gravino said it had “become apparent” there were security issues in the Bowen courthouse, including an open dock for the accused, when requesting a change to Mackay.

The six extra tactical officers would be spread too thin across the court’s five entrances, and unable to protect people while proceedings took place, the court heard.

Maree and Merv Schwarz (left) and Graham Tighe (top right) all died after a shooting at a Bogie property west of Mackay. Ross Tighe (bottom right) survived a gunshot wound to the stomach after undergoing emergency surgery.

“It has been widely publicised the ongoing general angst between community members, members of Schwarze and Tighe families and the Young families,” Ms Gravino said.

The Schwarz’s son Ross Tighe still carries a bullet in his stomach from the night of August 4, 2022, and Mr Young has been charged with his attempted murder.

As a protected witness, arrangements have been made for him to give evidence in a separate room with a support person.

Relatives and friends of the Schwarz and Tighe families attend Bowen Magistrates Court on August 4, 2022 at Bogie. Picture: Janessa Ekert

Legal Aid lawyer Rosemary Varley was in favour of the change of the venue to Mackay, so that Mr Young would have better access to his legal representatives and privacy in the courtroom to speak with them instead of being flanked by police officers.

“If the application is granted Mr Young will be at the Mackay watch-house which myself and counsel will be able to visit to take instructions from Mr Young swiftly,” Ms Varley said.

Supporters for triple murder accused Darryl Young, who allegedly shot three family members to death at the front gate of his Bogie property, were in Bowen Magistrates Court. Picture: Supplied/ABC

The original venue required the triple-murder accused to be flown into Mackay, bussed to the Whitsundays watch house, then taken to and from Bowen court during the two-day committal hearing, an expensive endeavour, the court heard.

Magistrate Michelle Howard said generally speaking, the committal should remain in the same district.

“However there are concerns about security which in this case it seems to me make that rather impractical,” Magistrate Howard said, and granted the move to Mackay.

Appearing via video link, Mr Young was fidgeting as he took notes and listened, scrunching his whole face when blinking.

The poor quality of the connection gave the video the look of a VHS found footage horror film, fading to flickering black bars every few moments, regularly timed with his blinks.

His only words were “thank you” as his matters were finalised.