TWO people have faced a court after being arrested for Covid-19 regulations breaches on New Year’s Eve.
Both accused are already facing similar charges, while one has numerous unpaid tickets issued for previous breaches.
The Belfast Telegraph reports that Ruari Saunders (35) and Lucy Richardson (23) both with separate addresses at Richmond Avenue, Eglinton appeared at a special sitting of Dungannon Magistrates’ Court on Friday by video-link from police custody, where an officer confirmed the charge against each could be connected.
She explained police received a report on New Year’s Eve of an ongoing gathering at Saunders’ flat. On arrival six persons were located, of which the two were arrested.
Both are also facing similar charges from a previous incident which is due in court later this month, and because of that it was decided to bring them to court straight away rather than release them on bail, as had been the case in the first instance.
Richardson has to date been given five “Covid tickets” totalling £1,800 in fines, which remain unpaid.
A defence lawyer for Saunders asked to have his matter dealt with and offered to enter an immediate guilty plea.
However, the court heard Covid-19 breaches are exclusively handled by a particular section within the Public Prosecution Service and time is required to review all cases.
District Judge Michael Ranaghan remanded the pair on £300 bail with conditions including abiding by all Covid-19 regulations: “Which everybody should be doing”.
The cases have been adjourned for mention at Derry Magistrates’ Court later this month.
