Eglinton man charged with racially abusing two Romanians remanded

A man accused of shouting at two Romanians in a Turkish barbers to 'speak English this is Ireland' has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrate's Court today.

Cahill Seamus Doherty (47) of Brookview Glen, Eglinton appeared charged with disorderly behaviour on August 22.

A police officer connected the accused to the charge and opposed bail. 

He told the court that police were called to a Turkish barbers in the Diamond area of Derry at 10am on August 22.

The owner told them Doherty had entered the premises and appeared to be intoxicated. 

As the defendant was waiting two Romanians came in and began talking in their own language at which Doherty was said to have shouted 'speak English this is Ireland'.

Shortly afterwards when two of the barbers began speaking in their native language Doherty was said to have shouted again about speaking English. 

The officer said that Doherty was currently on bail for an alleged racially motivated assault on a doctor in Altnagelvin Hospital on March 16.

Bail was opposed due to the risk of re-offending and the officer said that the defendant had not addressed his alcohol issues. 

Defence counsel Grainne McAnaney said she accepted thus was 'a difficult application' especially in light of the other charge.

She said he was 'vehemently denying' the charge and would claim it was 'banter'.

The barrister said that Doherty had taken steps to tackle his alcohol issue and asked for bail with conditions. 

Deputy District Judge Alan White said normally this type of case would warrant bail but thus offence was allegedly committed while on bail for another racially motivated charge and a suspended sentence. 

He refused bail and remanded Doherty in custody to appear again on September 19.