Three men and six teenagers in court over disorder

Three men and six teenagers have appeared in court on charges connected to rioting in Londonderry.

Darrell Ramsey, 30, of Rathlin Drive in Derry, is accused of riotous behaviour in Nailors Row on Tuesday.

Martin McDonald, 29, from Cromore Gardens in the city, is also charged with riotous behaviour on the Lecky Road on Wednesday while Michael O’Connor, 47, of Glenfada Park, is accused of inciting and encouraging a riot on the same date.

Six teenagers – one aged 14, three aged 15, and two aged 16, who cannot be named because of their ages – are all charged with riotous behaviour on Tuesday and Wednesday.

One of the 15-year-olds also faces a charge of having a petrol bomb.

Londonderry Magistrates’ Court was told on Thursday that violence erupted at about 19:30 BST on Tuesday, when youths moved towards a known interface area in the city.

Police intervened and trouble erupted which resulted in them being attacked with petrol bombs, masonry and stones.

A police officer told the court that Mr Ramsey was among a group of three unmasked men who joined masked rioters in attacking police.

He was alleged to have encouraged others to participate in the disorder.

However, his solicitor said the prosecution had not alleged that Mr Ramsey had thrown any objects.

He acknowledged Mr Ramsey’s presence at the scene, but said that his client denied involvement in any riot.

Similar claims were made regarding Mr McDonald, who was seen in the vicinity of the Lecky Road disturbances. He also denies the allegations.

In Mr O’Connor’s case, a police officer said he was observed speaking to a group of masked youths shortly before they began rioting.

It was further alleged he filmed the ensuing violence.

Deputy District Judge Chris Holmes told the hearing there was “extensive drone footage” of the disturbances.

All three men were granted bail with conditions, including a curfew, restrictions on entering specific parts of the city and an exclusion zone around any police operations.

Judge Holmes said he would not treat the youths differently from the adults, although he acknowledged the statutory presumption of bail for minors.

All six were granted bail with curfew conditions and are scheduled to appear in court again in August.

The judge directed the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) to prioritise analysis of the drone footage to determine whether further charges should be brought.

Two teenage boys, aged 16 and 17, who were arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour on Monday night, have been released on bail.