One of the North's most senior judges yesterday criticised loyalist leaders for encouraging people to break the law and then distance themselves. Lord Justice McCollum said in the High Court in Belfast: "The attitude of these people when they are seen on television invites others to defy the rule of law. They then distance themselves from the actions of those they encourage."
Bail was refused to Mr William Thompson (42), and his sons, Mr John Thompson (19) and Mr Mark Thompson (18), from Foyle Crescent, New Buildings. They are accused of assaulting an off-duty policeman, his brother and their 11-year-old nephew at New Buildings, near Derry, last week.