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07 Mar 2026
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07 Mar 2026
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Derry Magistrate's Court
A man charged in connection with a dissident republican parade in Derry last year has been refused permission to attend a friend's birthday party in Derry.
Stephen Murney (39) of Derrybeg Terrace in Newry faces three charges of encouraging and inciting support for a proscribed organisation namely the IRA on April 10 and making a speech on that date which encouraged support.
At today's hearing a defence barrister, Michael Forden, said the defendant was seeking a bail variation to allow Murney to enter Derry and attend a friend's party and spend a night in the city.
A police officer opposed the application and said that there were other suspects in the case and some of them could be at this party allowing Murney to associate with them.
She added that Murney was 'a very active republican' and had breached bail twice in December by attending dissident republican protests in Newry and Dublin.
The officer told the court that Murney was arrested on December 23 and released on bail on December 26.
Tbe court was told that the proposed address for Murney to stay at was also unsuitable as the homeowner was also on bail 'for serious offences'.
The defence barrister asked the officer what was to stop Murney meeting with his associate outside the city and was told there was nothing.
But the officer said the defendant had travelled to the city for these offences.
The barrister asked when police took until December 23 to arrest Murney for the bail breach in Dublin on December 16 which resulted in him spending Christmas in custody.
The officer said police had to gather evidence and liaise with the Gardai.
Mr Firde said the offences Murney is charged with were 'a specific place and a specific time' and added he was entitled to a social life.
Deputy District Judge Liam McStay said that this was 'a frivolous application' and added that bail conditions were there for a reason.
He refused the application and the case will be mentioned on February 14 with a PE scheduled for February 29.
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