Derry Court: Judge issues warning that 'court must be treated with respect' or face jail for contempt

District Judge Barney McElholm has warned that anyone who does not treat the court with respect will be jailed for 28 days for contempt.

His warning came at Derry Magistrate's Court during the case involving Joseph McCallion of Glendale Drive in Derry who appeared charged with threats to kill and possessing an offensive weapon on January 19.

In the course of an agreed bail hearing the defendant interrupted the court to object to some of the bail terms.

Judge McElholm told him to stop interrupting the court and issued his warning.

He said this was the third time this week people had interrupted the court by shouting and if it happened in the future he would invoke his powers under the Magistrate's Court Act and impose a sentence of 28 days.

He said he wanted to make it clear to anyone who disrupted the court in future they would be jailed.

He added 'the court must be treated with respect.'

McCallion was released on bail to appear again next month.