Derry Court: Dissident republican cleared on bail breach

A man who is currently on bail in connection with a dissident republican parade in Derry on April 10 this year has been told he is 'skating close to the wind' after he was seen close to a protest in Dungannon.

Stephen Murney (39) of Derrybeg Terrace in Newry is charged with inciting membership of a proscribed organisation on April 10 this year due to his participation in the Dissident republican March on April 10.

Murney appeared today charged with breaching his bail on August 9. 

A police officer said that there was a protest outside Dungannon police station organised by the Irish Republican Prisoners Welfare Association attended by several dozen people holding placards.

Murney was seen in a car close to the protest and was arrested for breaching his bail which prohibits him from attending any political gathering of more than 6 people. 

A defence barrister said that his client did not accept the breach of bail and maintained he was not participating in a protest but was only offering a lift to his partner and her friend. 

He argued that it was a protest about prisoners welfare and not a political gathering as such so even if Murney had been attending it would not have been in breach of bail. 

The barrister argued that tge High Court had determined that there was a right for people to take part in politics. 

He argued that if the court found there was a breach it was 'a breach of the spirit rather than the letter' of his bail.

Deputy District Judge Liam McStay said that there was a well established right to take part in politics. 

He said in this case there was a bail condition not to attend a gathering.

The judge ruled that he was not accepting there had been a breach of bail on this occasion but warned the defendant he had 'come very close' and would need to be careful.

Murney will appear again on August 31.