Man charged over Facebook comments on burning mosques

A Co Antrim man has been charged with making threats on Facebook when he allegedly wrote that people should be "burned alive" in a mosque.

Lee Gareth Darren McConnell (30), of Millfields in Balnamore near Ballymoney, faced three charges at Coleraine Magistrates Court on Thursday.

He is charged with making threats on November 17th this year to damage a mosque in Coleraine. He is also charged with publishing written material which was threatening, abusive or insulting, intending to stir up hatred or arouse fear.

The accused is further charged with sending a menacing message via a public electronic communications network by posting on Facebook: ‘It’s been here for quite a while mate c**ts will be here before you know it, they need burned alive in the mosque the tramps’.

He was released on his own bail of £500 and is banned from accessing any social media site until the case is dealt with and he is also not allowed to enter Gateside Road, Coleraine, where the mosque is situated.

The case was adjourned until December.

Last week at the same court a 26-year-old man from Macosquin near Coleraine appeared regarding online comments also allegedly made on November 1th7. His charge read that “without lawful excuse made a comment on a social media site regarding threats to destroy or damage certain property namely the Mosque belonging to the Muslim Community in Coleraine intending that they would fear it would be carried out”. He was also bailed with a social media ban and is barred from Gateside Road.