Three Derry men sentenced after targeting loyalist bonfire material
District Judge Ted Magill warns the incident could have sparked ‘increasing tensions’ in the local community
Three men have been sentenced at Derry Magistrate's Court charged with setting fire to loyalist bonfire material in the Fountain area last year.
Odhran Deehan (20) of Windmill Terrace, Liam Gallagher (21) of Quarry Street and Crionhthann O'Kane (28) of Abbots Walk all in Derry were charged with setting fire to bonfire materials that were due to be burned in July on June 14 last year.
Police responded to reports of males in balaclavas in a vehicle that was said to be driving suspiciously.
The vehicle was later found and the males and car were searched, with balaclavas and an aerosol can being found.
Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott, representing Deehan, said that the three had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and said they now recognised their actions as 'a stupid thing to do' but added that it happened in June and called the construction of the fire 'very poor'.
District Judge Ted Magill called the actions of the three 'idiotic' and said it could have led to 'increasing tensions' in the community.
He sentenced all three to 150 hours of community service.