A 55-year-old man arrested under the Terrorism Act following a parade in Derry on Easter Monday, April 21, has been charged with a number of offences connected to the event.
He has been charged with:
* Managing a meeting in support of a proscribed organisation
* Aiding and Abetting wearing clothing/articles as member or supporter of Proscribed Organisation
* Aiding and Abetting failure to comply with condition imposed by the Parades Commission
The man is due to appear before Derry Magistrates’ Court tomorrow, Thursday, April 24 for a first remand hearing.
As is normal procedure, the charge will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.
A second man, aged 30, also arrested under the Terrorism Act following the dissident republican parade in Derry has been released following questioning.
A PSNI spokesperson said: “This investigation is ongoing.”
During the parade, police were attacked by youths with petrol bombs at Derry’s Walls.
The attacks came as masked men led a New IRA parade through the city on Easter Monday.
PSNI Derry City & Strabane commander Chief Superintendent Gillian Kearney said that despite parade organisers’ claims that they wanted to hold a dignified commemoration, “what we saw was the complete opposite”.
“From the commencement of the parade to when it dispersed, we saw masked individuals, which we believe at this time to be a breach of the Parades Commission determination,” she added.
“As these masked individuals made their way towards the dispersal point on Lecky Road, disorder developed in the area of Nailors Row from around 2.50pm.
“Petrol bombs, fireworks and masonry were thrown which resulted in nearby Bishop Street (Without) being closed for a time for public safety reasons.
“Members of the public were diverted away from that area in the City Walls.
“This disorder involving young people was orchestrated. We have no doubt about this.
“Young people were shamelessly and deliberately used in an attempt to distract from and shield the masked individuals as they took cover in a gazebo following the parade in the area of St. Joseph’s Place to change out of their parade clothing.
“This is child criminal exploitation. It is utterly shameful.”
Chief Superintendent Kearney said two vehicles – one in the Frances Street area and another in the Fanad Drive area – were stopped following the parade as part of a proactive policing operation resulting in two suspects being detained.
“Two men, aged 30 and 55, were arrested under the Terrorism Act and were taken to Musgrave Street Station for questioning,” she continued.
“One of the vehicles stopped (a van) was seized.
“A number of items were also seized.”
Less than 200 people had gathered in Derry as the parade took place in the city on Monday afternoon.
The parade has previously been billed as the ‘Unfinished Revolution National Easter Commemoration’, and left Creggan shops at 2pm, ending at a New IRA monument in the Bogside.
Images from the parade in Derry showed a masked colour party leading those taking part in the parade.
There were also young people alongside the parade, some who had petrol bombs. One young person was seen with a shopping trolley full of the objects.
Before the parade set off, masked youths also gathered at Creggan shops.
Large groups of young people were also seen heading in the direction of the Derry Walls, with some throwing petrol bombs at police and gathering beside homes belonging to pensioners.
Some fireworks were also lit by the young people involved.
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