A masked child aged around 10-12 on the streets of Creggan during rioting during unlawful dissident republican Easter parade in city in April this year
Patrick Gallagher (31), of Raftery Close in Derry, was charged with three counts of inviting support for the New IRA, arranging a meeting in support of that organisation and aiding and abetting support on April 10 this year.
The court heard that a dissident republican parade took place in Derry’s Creggan area on Easter Monday, April 10 this year, and Gallagher was present.
The court heard that up to 30 petrol bombs were thrown at police by a crowd of youths before the parade got underway.
A police officer said that Gallagher could be seen walking beside the parade which was led by a colour party dressed in paramilitary style uniforms.
The court heard that police believed enents including a roll of honour of republican dead were organised by Gallagher who was said to have invited a wreath to be laid on behalf ‘of the Derry Brigade of the IRA.’
The police officer said following the meeting steps were taken to shield the colour party using umbrellas and the uniforms were then burnt.
The court heard that on the following day four pipe bombs were found in the cemetery.
Text messages were also found linking Gallagher to another man charged in connection with the same march.
The court heard that this man was alleged to have said in a speech ‘it is not enough to shout up the IRA join the IRA’ and Gallagher was said to have applauded this.
When interviewed Gallagher made a prepared statement denying any support for a proscribed organisation and said his role was to try and get the colour party dispersed peacefully.
Defence solicitor Derwin Harvey said these commemorations have been occurring since the 1970s.
A prosecution barrister said that Gallagher was ‘significantly involved in this matter’.
District Judge Barney McElholm said ‘this is 2023 and it is about time this crowd and the other crowd put all this behind us.’
The judge said that this country is ‘blighted’ by sectarian bigotry on both sides.
He said it was clear Gallagher had ‘played a role in this’ but added he could be managed on bail.
Gallagher was released on bail on condition he does not enter Creggan nor attend any March or protest or have any contact with his co-accused.
Gallagher will appear again on Thursday, July 6.
Last week, Gallagher appeared at Belfast Crown where he denied charges of rioting and throwing petrol bombs on April 18, 2019.
The rioting took place during police searches in the area and journalist Lyra McKee was shot dead that night while observing the trouble.
Also charged with these two offences was 26-year-old Jude McCrory, from Gartan Square, who denied both charges.
Kieran George McCool, (54) from Ballymagowan Gardens, was charged with, and denied, rioting and throwing bombs on April 18, 2019.
McCool entered a not guilty plea to a third charge of common assault on a male on the same date.
Paul McIntyre was charged with, and denied, a range of offences including murdering Ms McKee and membership of the IRA.
The 55-year-old, from Ballymagowan Park, entered not guilty pleas to a total of 12 charges, all of which were dated April 18, 2019.
He denied murdering Lyra McKee, possessing a handgun and ammunition with intent, rioting, possessing petrol bombs in suspicious circumstances and throwing petrol bombs.
McIntyre also denied robbing a Ford Transit tipper truck, arson of a Ford Transit tipper truck, hijacking an Audi A6, arson of an Audi A6, belonging to or professing to belong to the IRA, perpetrating a bomb hoax by placing a bag at Fanad Drive, Derry, with the intention of inducing some other person to believe that it was likely to explode or ignite, and common assault of a male.
Paul McIntyre denies the murder of Lyra McKee and rioting on the same night
The 42-year-old pleaded not guilty to rioting, possessing petrol bombs in suspicious circumstances, throwing petrol bombs, robbing the Ford Transit truck and damaging the same vehicle by fire.
McIntyre and Gillen were also charged with two additional offences dated April 16, 2019.
The pair — who both attended the hearing via video links from their solicitors’ offices — were each charged with, and denied, possessing petrol bombs in suspicious circumstances and throwing petrol bombs.
Gillen also denied charges of making petrol bombs on April 16, 2019.
The case of the five will reviewed later this year when a trial date will be set.
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