Derry man who shouted sectarian abuse at Apprentice Boys parade had 'turned his life around'

A man who was arrested after shouting sectarian abuse during a ceremony involving the Apprentice Boys on Derry's Walls has been told that he was getting a suspended sentence because he had 'turned his life around'.

Brian Lynch (38) of Rockmills in Derry appeared at the local Magistrate's Court charged with disorderly behaviour on August 9 this year.

The court heard that at 11.45pm as a ceremony involving the Apprentice Boys was taking place on Derry's Walls police heard 'shouting and sectarian abuse'.

They saw a group of males including Lynch shouting sectarian abuse and a bottle was thrown towards the Walls narrowly missing a group of tourists observing the ceremony.

Police approached Lynch and asked him to leave the area but he refused and was seen to be intoxicated.

Defence solicitor Derwin Harvey said he had no doubt that the custodial threshold had been passed.

He said Lynch deserved credit for his plea at the earliest opportunity.

The solicitor said that the defendant had not been in trouble over the last four years and had tried to turn his life around.

On the day in question he had met up with some old friends and had been drinking and was part of a group that had shouted at the ceremony.

Deputy District Judge Laura Ievers said this was 'obviously a serious incident'.

She imposed a sentence of 4 months suspended for 2 years.