Bail varied for father and daughter facing explosive charges
Derry judge said that 'it didn't sit well with him' that a father and daughter could not hug each other at the wake and funeral of a close relative
A judge at Derry Magistrate's Court today said that 'it didn't sit well with him' that a father and daughter on explosive charges could not hug each other at the wake and funeral of a close relative.
Shannon Kelly (26) of Creevagh Heights and Gérard Kelly (48) of Victoria Place both in Derry are both charged with possessing explosives namely two Soviet grenade heads, plastic explosives and two detonators with intent to endanger life on September 7.
They were also charged with possessing the same items in suspicious circumstances.
Both are also charged with possessing a Browning short barrelled firearm and a quantity of ammunition with intent to endanger life on September 7 as well as a charge of possessing the weapon and ammunition in suspicious circumstances.
At today's sitting defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that he was applying for a bail variation to remove the prohibition on contact between the two as well as a extension of the curfew.
He said that Gerry Kelly's brother had died and he was seeking an extension of the curfew during the wake.
A prosecution barrister said that the police were agreeable to the curfew extension but were opposed to lifting the contact condition.
District Judge Ted Magill said that the deceased was one defendant's brother and the others uncle and contact should be permitted during the wake and funeral.
He said that the pair should be allowed to hug each other during a time like this and lifted the prohibition on contact during the wake.
The pair will appear again on November 30.