Three men accused of petrol bombing police amid racially-fuelled rioting in east Belfast are to be released from custody, a judge ruled today.
Colin Moneypenny (33), George Main (25) and Paul McCaughey (32) were all granted bail on charges connected to street violence in the Connswater area last month.
Each of them was prohibited from attending any public protests as part of the terms of their release.
Moneypenny, from Dhu Varren Crescent; Main, of Hatton Drive; and McCaughey, from Gotha Street - all in Belfast - are jointly charged with riotous assembly, as well as possessing and throwing a petrol bomb with intent to destroy a PSNI vehicle.
They were arrested after police came under attack from a large crowd throwing masonry, fireworks and other projectiles on August 8.
Detectives claimed the unrest formed part of a surge in public disorder with racial undertones which erupted across the UK.
Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard on Friday that footage obtained from a PSNI helicopter forms part of the case against the accused.
It has also been alleged that Moneypenny was identified when his mask slipped as he fled from the scene.
He faces further charges of criminal damage and resisting police amid claims that he struggled with officers on patrol after being located a short time later at a nearby road junction.
All three defendants deny taking part in the rioting.
Moneypenny’s barrister, Michaael Boyd, argued that he has no history of involvement in any type of violent disorder.
“While we accept there is a case to answer, there are real discrepancies in the police descriptions of the assailant,” Mr Boyd added.
Granting bail to the trio, District Judge George Conner ordered them to abide by curfews and electronic monitoring.
He also banned the defendants from being in the company of more than three non-family members in a public place.