Derry Court hears Palestine rally warnings may have been lost in crowd noise

A police officer told a court hearing today that as far as he knew no one had directed a crowd to march from the Diamond to the Guildhall during a pro Palestinian demonstration in February 2024.

Five people including local Derry and Strabane councillor Shaun Harkin are charged with taking part in unnotified procession.

Goretti Horgan (70) of Westland Avenue, Davina Pulis (36) of Knoxhill Park, Robert Paul Maxwell (60) of Rathlin Drive and Jude Coffey (27) of Gartan Square and local councillor Shaun Harkin (52) of Beechwood Avenue all in Derry are charged with taking part in an illegal procession on February 14 2024 and in Harkin's case February 17 in support of Palestine. 

The court was shown footage of the demonstration on February 14 when following a vigil in the Diamond, which police accept was peaceful, the crowd then marched to the Guildhall where a brief meeting was held.

A Sergeant from the PSNI gave evidence of warning the marchers that they were taking part in an unnotified parade.

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Under cross examination from Michael Mansfield KC representing Horgan, Pulis and Shaun Harkin, the officer said he was not aware of anyone directing the crowd to march to the Guildhall.

He was asked how anyone could observe the 28 day notice requirement if a crowd just move off.

The officer was asked by Stephen McNicholl, representing Coffey and Maxwell, was it possible that due to the chanting and general noise people may not have heard the warnings and he agreed that was possible. 

The case in front of District Judge Conor Heaney is expected to last the rest of the day.

At hearing.