Court held in secure car park because accused ‘too dangerous’

A sitting of the Magistrate’s Court in Derry was held in a secured car park beside the courthouse on Tuesday because the accused was deemed to be too dangerous to be brought into the court building.

Barry Whittle (34), Clareen Drive, Strathfoyle, sat in the rear of a police van with ankle restraints on during the hearing.

District Judge Barney McElholm, a court clerk, a prosecution and defence solicitor, six police officers, five prison officers and a court reporter were present for the hearing.

The defendant was charged with disorderly behaviour in the Belfray Country Inn at Drumahoe on Monday, several hours after his mother’s funeral. He is also alleged to have breached court bail conditions by being drunk and on licensed premises at the same time.

Opposing bail a police officer told the court the defendant, who has 67 previous convictions, had reportedly “fallen out with the UDA but I am not aware of any official threat against him from the UDA”.

The officer said the defendant’s family lived in fear of him and no suitable bail address was available. “I honestly believe everybody in Strathfoyle will be out to get him,” she said.

The police witness said she believed the defendant should be remanded in custody “for his own safety and for the safety of others”. He was remanded in custody for a video link hearing next Tuesday.

Whittle sought permission to visit his mother’s grave. The judge said that was not a matter for him but for the police.