Derry Court: Menacing messages to Naomi Long in relation to Derry dissident republican 'misconstrued'

A man has been given a suspended sentence at Derry Magistrate's Court today for sending messages that could be deemed as menacing to the then Minister of Justice Naomi Long and a local Alliance Party councillor.

Ronald George McElwee (29) of Rossnagalliagh in Derry had denied the two charges of improper use of the communication network on June 21 last year.

He had denied the charges but was convicted after a contest on the papers. 

The court heard that police were informed by Ms Long about a message she deemed as menacing in relation to a Derry dissident republican whose prison licence had been revoked. 

The message from McElwee said there were people 'compliant with British internment and treated as such.'

A further message the came to light to local Alliance councillor Rachel Ferguson relating to the same issue.

McElwee admitted sending the messages but stated he did not think they were menacing. 

The court heard that the defendant had 8 previous convictions and an application was made for a restraining order. 

Defence counsel Michael Donaghey said there was no dispute that McElwee had sent the messages but he maintained they had been 'misconstrued'.

The barrister said that no one had been called to give evidence in the case. 

He described McElwee's record as consisting of 'low level public order offences.'

District Judge Barney McElholm said there is no justification for violence especially politics. 

He said these were attitudes 'should have been left in the last century.'

McElwee was given a 4 month sentence suspended for 3 years and a Restraining Order was imposed. 

Following the sentence of Ronald McElwee, Detective Inspector McCallum said: “Police were notified of the emails on 21st June 2022.  McElwee was arrested on suspicion of two counts of improper use of a public electronic communications network.

“He was later released pending a report to the Public Prosecution Service, who subsequently made a decision to prosecute.
“I want to assure everyone – all members of the public – that we take crime of this nature extremely seriously. Such actions, without doubt, cause unacceptable distress to all concerned. 

“If you are the victim of similar, or indeed of any crime, please contact police on 101, or in an emergency call 999.”
 Alternatively, information can be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org