Four convicted of taking part in procession in support of Palestine
Four people gave been convicted at Derry Magistrates’ Court today for taking part in an illegal procession in support of Palestine in what was described by a prosecutor as 'a minor act of civil disobedience.'
Goretti Horgan (70) of Westland Avenue, Davina Pulis (36) of Knoxhill Park, Robert Paul Maxwell (60) of Rathlin Drive and Jude Coffey (27) of Gartan Square all in Derry were charged with taking part in an illegal procession on February 14, 2024.
Previously two defendants former SDLP leader Colum Eastwood and People before Profit councillor Shaun Harkin had also been charged but Mr Eastwood accepted an alternative disposal and Mr Harkin was found to have no case to answer.
At today's hearing District Judge Conor Heaney ruled that the defendants had taken part in an illegal procession expressing what he described as 'legitimate political views'.
He said that the procession which involved a crowd moving from a meeting in the Diamond down Shipquay Street to the Guildhall was 'peaceful and brief'.
Horgan, Pulis and Maxwell were each fined £75 and Coffey was fined £150 as he had previous convictions for similar offences.