A judge yesterday told the family and friends of a murdered policeman that they should be "ashamed" of themselves after they had jumped up clapping and cheering as his self-confessed killer was convicted of murder.
Belfast Crown Court judge Mr Justice Coghlin, who several times had to call for order, told relatives of 34-year-old Const Norman Thompson to behave or face being barred from the court.
As the family and friends of the father of two cheered, the mother of Charles Malachy Pollock (27) of Jerusalem Street, Belfast, collapsed weeping into the arms of a a female relative after the jury convicted her son of murder. Pollock, who denied murder, had admitted the manslaughter of the policeman he hit in his speeding car on Kennedy Way in west Belfast on August 19th two years ago. He had claimed he was trying to avoid a spiked "stinger", designed to puncture the tyres of vehicles, which was deployed moments earlier by Const Thompson.
Pollock, who faces a life sentence, was remanded while social inquiry reports are obtained, with the case to be listed for mention again on October 25th.
Family sues over helicopter death
The family of one of three pilots killed in a helicopter crash near the Border six years ago claimed nearly £1 million compensation at the High Court in Belfast yesterday.
The US-built Sikorsky helicopter, owned by Dr Edward Haughey's company, Norbrook Laboratories Ltd, Newry, crashed into Round Mountain overlooking Omeath, Co Louth, in December 1996. The three victims, who lived in England, were flying from Aldergrove to Ballyedmond, Co Down, when the accident happened. They were Kevin Mulhern,John Smith, and Jeremy Wright.
Mrs Mary Mulhern (49), a mother of two of Steventon, Oxfordshire, has sued Norbrook Laboratories and the personal representatives of Mr Smith, who was at the controls.
The defendants have denied liability and the hearing before Lord Justice Campbell is expected to last a week.
Objectors to stay away from quarry
Blasting is due to resume today at a Co Fermanagh quarry after objectors agreed yesterday to abandon their campaign.
In the High Court in Belfast, Mr Justice Girvan granted an injunction restraining three objectors from causing any further delay to blasting at Rooskey quarry. The injunction prevents Ivan and Dorothy Bothwell and Eric Whitaker from entering a danger zone 100 metres from the nearest blasting point.
Mr Donnell Deeny QC, for quarry owner Mr George Deane, of Killadeas, said the trio had consented to the injunction being granted. He said six others had previously signed undertakings to absent themselves while explosives were being detonated.
The injunction applies to a blasting operation due to take place at 11 o'clock this morning and Mr Deane said he was willing to talk to the objectors to try and reach agreement about future blasting.
Charged with riotous behaviour
A man was in court yesterday following an incident in west Belfast at the weekend when a crowd attacked police arresting a motorist. Mr Gavin Kelly (20), Brittons Parade, Belfast, was charged with riotous behaviour and assaulting a policeman on the Springfield Road.
A detective told the Magistrates Court it was the third such incident in the area in recent weeks and police had to let the motorist get away due to the actions of the crowd. The officer agreed with defence solicitor Mr Philip Breen that Mr Kelly denied being involved because he was unable to run away as a result of being shot in the ankles by paramilitaries.
The magistrate said it was with reluctance that he was releasing Kelly on bail. But he imposed stringent conditions, including a cash surety of £500, a curfew and daily reporting to police.