A 32-year-old mother and a man who was “acting like a big lad” during street disorder at a Belfast interface have been refused bail on the grounds of concerns over further offending.
Lynsey McCartney from Lawnbrook Drive in the city, and 20-year old Rory Moore from Mossvale Street were arrested during street disorder which broke out in the Lanark Way/Springfield Road interface in the early hours of Monday, July 13th.
Ms McCartney - who it is alleged was seen to try and scale the peace wall on the Protestant side before falling back onto the ground - faces a single charge of riotous behaviour in Lanark Way.
Mr Moore was charged with three offences - namely disorderly behaviour, possession of a knife in a public place and obstructing police. It is claimed that his actions prevented a police vehicle from manoeuvring during the disorder.
As Ms McCartney and Mr Moore stood in the dock of Belfast Magistrates Court, a police constable told the court she was familiar with the case and that she could connect both accused to the charges.
She said police were objecting to bail for several reasons, including a fear of re-offending as both accused has previous convictions for similar offences.
The court heard Ms McCartney was seen on a police camera trying to climb the peace wall which separates the loyalist Lanark Way with republican Springfield Road.
The police constable said as about 50 people gathered on the Springfield Road, ms McCartney was seen throwing a number of missiles “including bottles and pieces of masonry” over the peace wall.
When she was arrested, Ms McCartney answered ‘no comment’ when questions were put to her. She did, however, say that she had been drinking from 2pm the previous afternoon.
Objecting to Ms McCartney being released on bail, the police constable said she had 34 previous convictions, some of which were in relation to disorderly behaviour. The policewoman said: “Police have concerns about bail, given that this occurred at an interface and tensions are high at the minute.”
The constable also expressed concerns that Ms McCartney would not abide by bail conditions.
Regarding Mr Moore, the constable also opposed bail on the grounds of his record, which includes offences for rioting, as well as previous breaches of bail. She again spoke of tensions in the area as another concern over granting bail.
The policewoman said Mr Moore was arrested in the same area as Ms McCartney. He was observed standing in front of a police vehicle with both hands on the bonnet which prevented the vehicle from moving, and was also seen to encourage others to join in.
The court heard this was happening as police were being attacked with missiles.
Mr Moore then ran away but was detained a short distance from the scene. When searched, police found he had a knife in the waist area of his shorts.
During police interview, Mr Moore claimed he had used the knife before for fishing, and wasn’t aware it was still in his clothing. He also said it was never his intention to use the knife for an unlawful purpose.
The constable confirmed that no injuries were sustained to police during the unrest that broke out in the area in question.
A solicitor for Ms McCartney said that his client has found her period of detention as “stressful”, adding that she wanted to return home to her family and 12-year old daughter and “stay away from any form of trouble”.
Asking District Court Judge George Conner to "give her a chance in relation to bail", the solicitor said Ms McCartney was willing to abide by any conditions imposed including refraining from alcohol.
Also asking for bail for Mr Moore was his solicitor, who said that he was also willing to stick to any conditions imposed. She said her client was drunk during the early morning incident and that he was “acting like a big lad in front of the cops ... so to speak.”
Judge Conner said that due concerns of reoffending, he was refusing bail for both accused. He remanded both of them back into custody and the case will be before the same court on August 11th when they are due to appear via video link.