Derry dissident republican has bail conditions varied to attend concert and GAA match

A leading Derry dissident republican has had his bail conditions varied to allow him to attend a concert in Belfast and a Derry match in Galway.

Thomas Ashe Mellon (48) of Rathmore Road in Derry is currently on bail charged with breaching anti-terrorism legislation by crossing the border at Belleek instead of at Newry.

At today's sitting of Derry Magistrate's Court Mellon's solicitor Paddy McGurk applied for his bail to be varied to allow him to attend the Derry versus Galway match on May 18 and a concert in Belfast on May 22.

Police agreed to the concert but objected to Mellon attending the match due to the fact he could meet 'politically like minded people'.

District Judge Barney McElholm asked had Mellon attended a meeting with a TD last week after the court had given him permission. 

Mr McGurk said that his client decided not to go to Dublin when he discovered there could be individuals at that meeting that would put him in breach of his bail. 

The solicitor said that Mellon was avid football fan who travelled to Derry matches all over and 'rarely misses a match'. He said he intended to attend this match with his wife and children.

The solicitor said that Mellon would not want to jeopardise his ability to attend matches especially as Derry could have 'another five or six matches this year.'

Judge McElholm agreed and said Derry were on 'an upward curve' at the moment.

He granted the bail variation to allow Mellon to attend both events. 

A police officer asked that as regards the match Mellon supply police with his route and his expected return time. 

Mr McGurk said that Galway was a notoriously difficult city to get out off and the return time could be problematic. 

Judge McElholm said that the police should not be too strict with the return time. 

Mellon's case was adjourned until May 16.