 The case went north, where the previous explosions had taken place, and on 16 February 1970 the trial opened.McKeague, along with William Owens (McKeague's 19-year-old flatmate), Derek Elwood, Trevor Gracey and Francis Mallon, were charged with causing an earlier explosion at Templepatrick.The case collapsed after serious doubt was cast on the character of Stevenson, whose evidence was the main basis of the prosecution's case.