Charges against four Sinn Fein councillors in Co Tyrone and 23 other people arising from a controversial Orange parade in Pomeroy last summer are to be heard at a special sitting of Cookstown Magistrates' Court, which is expected to last at least three weeks. The defendants, including two women, are accused of obstructing the annual church parade of the local Orange lodge in the village.
The Sinn Fein chairman of Cookstown District Council, Mr Sean Begley (45), of Carrickmore, also faces a charge of using threatening, abusive and insulting words or behaviour.
The cases were adjourned until next Friday to fix a date for the start of the hearing.