County Derry man accused of issuing New IRA threats refused permission to live in Claudy area full time

A County Derry man who is accused of issuing threats in the name of the new IRA in a number of pubs in Dungiven has appeared before a local court seeking permission to reside in the Claudy area full time.

Michael Conwell, of Lettershendony Avenue in Drumahoe, faces charges of belonging to a proscribed organisation, namely the New IRA and possession of a firearm.

The 31 year-old is further charged with possession of an offensive weapon, namely a metal pole, in a public place.

The alleged offences are connected to an incident which happened in Dungiven on January 19 2024, during which three masked individuals entered numerous bars and a GAA club in the town claiming they were from the New IRA and gave verbal warnings and threats about drug activity in the area.

During today’s hearing of Limavady Magistrates’ Court, sitting in Coleraine, Conwell’s solicitor applied for a bail variation.

The court heard that the accused is subject to a number of bail conditions and the application was to amend two of those - to be able to live in the Claudy area full time and to adjust his curfew.

In December, Conwell was granted a bail variation to live in the Claudy area on weekdays only and at an address in Fintona, Co Tyrone on the weekends as one of his co-accused, a youth, works in Dublin all week and returns to the Claudy area on a Friday.

Conwell’s solicitor appealed to Deputy District Judge Noel Dunlop to consider the 'equality' between the three co-accused in the case as the other two are not subject to the same requirements.

He argued that the alleged incident happened in the Dungiven area and therefore there would be no risk of Conwell interfering with witnesses.

He added that it was ‘difficult to see the logic’ in Conwell being subjected to these conditions.

A prosecutor expressed opposition to the bail variation due to the nature of the charges before the court which she described as ‘very serious offences’.

Judge Dunlop said he was refusing the application due to the potential risk of interference with witnesses.

The case was adjourned until April 30.