Councillor faces assault charge

A Belfast Sinn Fein councillor, Mr Alex Maskey, was charged with assault the offence is to have occurred during an operation …

A Belfast Sinn Fein councillor, Mr Alex Maskey, was charged with assault the offence is to have occurred during an operation to cordon off streets in Belfast's lower Ormeau area last month.

Mr Maskey (44), from Gartree Place, Andersonstown, had said he was "not guilty", a police officer told Belfast Magistrates Court.

The alleged assault took place at University Avenue on July 11th, after police sealed off the area to allow an Orange parade through the following day.

A solicitor, Mr Sean O'Hare, defending, said Mr Maskey had lodged a complaint alleging ill treatment by the police.

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He was remanded on bail until October 17th.