The father of Thomas McDonald, the 16-year-old who was killed when he was knocked off his bike by a car last September, was in court today on a charge of riotous behaviour.
Mr Thomas Craig, a 39 year-old baker, from Moltke Street, in the Donegall Road area of Belfast, was said to have gone to the Whitewell Road last night after being told that a memorial to his son had been vandalised.
A constable told Belfast Magistrates Court that the incident Mr Craig was allegedly involved in had led to serious and sustained rioting.
Mr Craig's solicitor said he lost his temper when he saw the damage to his son's memorial and such behaviour was completely out of character.
Refusing a defence plea to remand Mr Craig on bail, Magistrate Mr Paul McRandall said it was clear he was the instigator of the trouble.
"He made considerable efforts to get to the Whitewell Road and having got there caused the violence that took place," added Mr McRandall.
Mr Craig was remanded in custody until June 10th.
A woman motorist is awaiting trial on a charge of murdering the boy by driving her car into his bicycle.
Two others, including a 15-year-old boy, have been charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.
