Man who lit fire at Derry's War Memorial told police he was 'honouring the dead'
Peter Gillespie (46) of no fixed abode was arrested on August 31 after police spotted him beside a fire at the War Memorial in the Diamond
A man who was observed standing beside a fire at Derry's War Memorial told police he was 'honouring the dead' the local Magistrate's Court heard today.
Peter Gillespie (46) of no fixed abode was arrested on August 31 after police spotted him at the War Memorial in the Diamond in Derry beside a fire.
The court heard that Gillespie initially claimed that he was burning rubbish but later said that he was honouring the dead, claiming that it was how they did it in Taiwan.
An officer told the court that Gillespie also made numerous references to British imperialism and Israel while talking to police.
Defense Barrister Graine McAnaney applied for bail to an address approved by police.
Bail was granted and he will appear again on September 26.