Three men to face trial over dissident republican parade in Derry
Patrick Gallagher (31) of Raftery Close, Jason Ceulemans (51) of Creevagh Heights both in Derry and Stephen Murney (40) of Derryberg Terrace in Newry appeared at a preliminary enquiry at Derry Magistrate's Court today
Three men have been returned for trial to Laganside on charges connected to a dissident republican parade in the city last year.
Patrick Gallagher (31) of Raftery Close, Jason Ceulemans (51) of Creevagh Heights both in Derry and Stephen Murney (40) of Derryberg Terrace in Newry appeared at a preliminary enquiry at Derry Magistrate's Court today.
All three were charged with arranging and managing a meeting in support of the IRA between February 20 and April 11 last year and they are also charged with speaking at the meeting encouraging support for the IRA.
It was accepted that there was a case to answer and there were no contrary submissions.
None of the three acknowledged the court in any way and did not respond when asked if they wished to call any witnesses or make any statement.
They were all returned for trial to the Crown Court at Laganside on April 16.
Gallagher and Murney are already on bail on condition they have no contact with each other and that not attend any political meeting with six or more people.
A police officer asked for similar conditions to be imposed on Ceulemans but defence solicitor Derwin Harvey, representing opposed this condition describing it as 'draconian and disproportionate'.
He said his client is a community activist and would regularly take part in community meetings, also pointing out that the alleged offences in question took place almost a year ago and he has not offended since.
The solicitor said that such a condition was not necessary and was 'too wide' as if his client committed a crime he could be arrested.
District Judge Barney McElhom agreed with this, amending the condition so that all three should not attend any meetings for illegal originations.