Two Co Down men appeared in court on Monday accused of inciting rioting and arson.
Appearing separately at Downpatrick Magistrates Court, Bangor men 30-year-old John Edward Robinson and Corey McNabb (28) each confirmed they understood the respective charges against them.
Robinson, from Rathgill Park, was charged with four offences including intentionally encouraging others to riot, sending messages which were “grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing nature, namely threatening to burn hotels,” possessing fireworks without a licence and publishing written material intending to “stir up hatred or arouse fear,” alleged to have been committed between August 3-10 this year.
Appearing by videolink from police custody McNabb, from Balmoral Avenue, was charged with two offences alleged to have been committed between on 3rd and 4th August including sending menacing messages and encouraging others to commit arson.
The particulars of count one alleges that McNabb sent a message which was “grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing nature, namely they should burn the Marine Court down instead of standing out the front of it.”
In each case a police officer said he believed he could connect the defendants to their respective charges and that police were objecting to bail.
Robinson was the first to be called and the officer outlined that under a Facebook post about immigration protests and “property now burning in south Belfast,” the 30-year-old commented “good, it’s about time….smoke the hotels next.”
“Police believe that referred to hotels where migrants are staying,” said the officer adding that when Robinson was arrested and his phone examined, police uncovered further concerning messages on Facebook messenger.
In a conversation with an individual who was not named but who is understood to be under investigation, Robinson made further references to hotels where migrants are housed and told him “violence is the answer - that’s the only way the government see we are serious.”
Robinson also allegedly commented about shops on Sandy Row being on fire “that’s more like it LOL.”
Under cross examination from defence solicitor the police officer confirmed that Robinson had no relevant convictions and also that there had been no further concerning messages posted after 3 and 4 August.
Submitting that Robinson has very few followers and is not in a position to influence anyone, the lawyer said:
“Unfortunately in this jurisdiction there have been a number of individuals over the years who have made incendiary comments and caused problems for this society but that is not this man,” the solicitor declared emphasising that Robinson’s problem stemmed from “something of a problem with alcohol.”
District Judge Amanda Brady however refused bail.
McNabb was called a short time later and the police officer told the judge how he had allegedly posted a single message on Facebook that “should just burn the Marine Court down instead of standing out the front of it every week” with a laughing emogi at the end of the comment.
During police interviews McNabb confirmed he had attended the protests and had taken his infant daughter to them.
He also admitted posting the message “but said he never wanted to incite anyone to burn it down and that was not his intention” and he also denied showing a “disregard for life.”
Defence counsel Noel Dillon argued that mechanic McNabb had posted a single message, could go to live with his mother in Donaghadee and that bail conditions could be put in place to assuage police concerns.
However bail was refused and McNabb was also remanded into custody and his case adjourned to 4 September.
