Suspended sentences after sectarian attacks

Suspended sentences after sectarian attacks

9 January 2013

TWO Killyleagh men have been given suspended prison sentences for what a judge described as a sectarian incident at a Catholic-owned bar in the town last summer.

William Malcolm Healy (61), of The Anchorage, and Warren James McAllister (37), of Kerry Hill, were each given five-month jail terms, suspended for three years, for their part in disturbances following a Loyalist parade on August 11.

Healy pleaded guilty to being disorderly outside the Central Bar in Cross Street, while McAllister admitted assaulting a woman inside the bar and being disorderly.

A third man, John Roland, McIlveen (29), of Lansdowne Road, Newtownards, admitted being disorderly and resisting police. Sentencing against him was deferred until October.

At Downpatrick Court last Thursday, District Judge Greg McCourt said all three men had been involved in hostility towards a sector of the community.

“All three of you were disgraceful,” he remarked. “This was shocking behaviour from people who claim to be loyal to the State and to the Queen. How this amounts to loyalty I do not know.”

Mr. McCourt warned that future incidents of a similar nature would not be tolerated.

“If there any hint of this, I can assure anyone who comes before this court in August or September that they will to prison. “There is no excuse for sectarian behaviour.

The court was told how trouble flared at around 9pm as a Loyalist band paraded in Killyleagh after attending an Apprentice Boys demonstration in Londonderry.

A prosecution lawyer said the band paraded from Frederick Street to Cross Street where the Central Bar is located.

The lawyer said that abuse was shouted at the band, as a result of which bandsmen “charged” into the bar.

He said Healy was heard shouting “Come on boys, let’s go in.” Healy later claimed he had been assaulted in the bar.

The lawyer said McAllister punched a woman in the bar, while McIlveen shouted sectarian abuse, punched and kicked a man to the ground and struggled with police. McIlveen later claimed he had been struck on the head and did not remember what had happened.

A number of references on behalf of the defendants, including one from the Orange Order, were presented to the court.

A defence barrister said all three men were involved in promoting cross-community relations in Killyleagh.

The barrister said Healy, who she described as a “mature man,” had been marching behind the band. She said he did not intend to incite trouble and had been asked by a policeman to help prevent further trouble.

“He was instrumental in getting people off the street and into the Orange Hall so that order could be restored,” she explained.

The lawyer said McAllister was carrying a flag at the front of the band. “He went into the bar to see what was happening,” she remarked. “He had no intention of causing problems with anyone.

“He accepts he struck the woman. There was a melee around him, but he did not set out to strike her.”

The barrister said McAllister had been involved in bands all his life and there was nothing sinister on his record. “Up until this he was a man good character.

The barrister said McIlveen got involved when his friend was headbutted. She claimed her client was struck on the head by a police baton and that his injuries received five to seven stitches.

“When he fell to the ground, he foolishly resisted police,” she said. “He accepts he did not make life easy for police.”

Sentencing Healy, the district judge said he was not sending him to jail immediately because he was in employment.

He said Healy had a lengthy record and had been involved in “more sinister and dangerous activities” dating back 30 years.

“I would have thought you had grown up and realised there is no future in this kind of sectarian behaviour,” Mr. McCourt remarked.

Turning to McAllister, Mr. McCourt said he had carried out a serious assault on a woman. He ordered McAllister to pay his victim £750 in compensation.

Mr. McCourt said McIlveen had played a big part in the incident.

Deferring his sentence until October 3, he warned McIlveen: “If you put a foot or nose out of line, you will be sent to prison.”