'Trusted member' of the New IRA applies for bail variation

A man described by police as 'a trusted member' of the New IRA was seeking to have his curfew suspended to allow him to work in a bar, Derry Magistrate's Court heard today.

William McDonnell (36) of Balbane Pass in Derry is one of three men charged in connection with the claim of responsibility for the shooting of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell on February 22 this year.

At today's sitting a defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott applied for a bail variation to allow McDonnell to take up employment in the 720 bar. 

He told the court that the application was for the curfew to be suspended on nights McDonnell was working and the tag to be removed. 

A Detective Constable objected to the variation saying police believed it would increase the risk of re-offending. 

He said that the shooting was the result of 'multi faceted, province wide operation' and police believed McDonnell had placed the claim of responsibility.

He said this claim also included threats against the security forces. 

The officer said that McDonnell had six relevant previous convictions and had been permitted him to live in Creggan where he said 'New IRA activity was still continuing.' 

The bail variation was further objected to due to the location of the bar in question as it faced Junior McDaid House where the officer said members of the New IRA used for meetings.

McDonnell's solicitor said that his client was anxious to get employment to support his family.

Mr MacDermott said that as far as he was aware Junior McDaid House was closed in the evening. 

District Judge Barney McElholm said that he was not refusing the application but he did not see why the defendant could not have set days for employment so that the police could be aware of his timetable. 

He adjourned the application until October 23 to allow the defence time to see if that was possible.