Judge changes bail conditions for Derry man who was charged with bail breach

A man currently on bail on riot charges and who is prohibited from being in the company of more than one person at a time appeared at Derry Magistrate's Court today charged with breaching his bail by being in the company of four people.

David Montieth (36) of St Columb's Wells in Derry is charged in connection with a riot on Southway during a security alert on July 9.

At today's sitting a police officer told the court that Montieth was observed walking along Ferryquay Street towards the Diamond area along with three other people on August 10.

He was arrested for breaching his bail conditions which state he cannot associate with more than one other person. 

Defence solicitor Don Mahoney said his client did not accept the breach as he maintained he was walking with his girlfriend and she stopped to talk to two others. 

District Judge Barney McElholm queried as to who imposed such a condition and was told it was due to the riot charges. 

The judge said 'two people do not a riot make'. 

He re-released Montieth on bail and changed the condition to allow him to associate with up to five people. 

Montieth will appear again on September 12.