Leading Derry dissident republican refused permission to attend 'internationally recognised conference' in Dublin
Thomas Ashe Mellon (48) of Rathmore Road in Derry is currently on bail charged with breaching the legislation by crossing the border at Belleek instead of at Newry in November last year
A leading Derry dissident republican who is currently on bail charged with breaching the Anti-terrorism legislation by crossing the border at the wrong location has been refused permission to attend 'internationally recognised conference' in Dublin.
Thomas Ashe Mellon (48) of Rathmore Road in Derry is currently on bail charged with breaching the legislation by crossing the border at Belleek instead of at Newry in November last year.
Derry Magistrate's Court heard today that Mellon was seeking permission to attend a conference organised by the Red Cross in Dublin on April 26.
Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that his client was scheduled to attend as 'an advocate for prisoner's rights' and was seeking a bail variation to attend and return on the same day.
A prosecution barrister said there were a 'number of relevant entries' on Mellon's record including a conviction in 2015 for a letter referring to the IRA which was detected being smuggled into Maghaberry Prison which he wrote.
The court heard that one of restrictions on Mellon under the Anti-terrorism legislation was he was only to cross the border after giving police his route.
The barrister said that if allowed outside of the jurisdiction police would be unable to monitor Mellon's activity or who he associated with.
She added that the bail conditions were seen as 'appropriate and proportionate' and if he was granted permission to go to Dublin the ability of the police to monitor his movements was 'non-existent'.
Mr MacDermott said that the offence was alleged to have occurred in November and Mellon was not charged until March 22 so that was unusual if 'it was such a serious matter.'
He said that the charge stemmed from Mellon crossing the border at Belleek to get diesel while he had permission to cross at Newry.
The solicitor said that it was 'a very insignificant matter' and added that the conference was being held in a Dublin city centre hotel and could be monitored by the Gardai.
Deputy District Judge Liam McStay said that there were 'considerable objections' to the variation based on Mellon's history and record.
He said that the bail terms had been set out 'in a very strict way' and refused the application.
The case will be mentioned again on May 9.