Judge sets date to hear Facebook comments case

A DATE was fixed at the Magistrates’ Court in Derry yesterday to hear the case of a man who denies comments he posted about a…

A DATE was fixed at the Magistrates’ Court in Derry yesterday to hear the case of a man who denies comments he posted about a politician on the social networking site Facebook were grossly offensive or of a menacing character.

It is the first prosecution of its kind in the UK.

Daryl O’Donnell (31) posted comments about DUP MP Gregory Campbell last June days after the publication of the Saville report into Bloody Sunday.

The father of two from Belvedere Park, Foyle Springs, Derry, is charged under the Communications Act 2003 with the “improper use of public electronic communications on June 20th, 2010”.

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Defence solicitor Ciarán Harkin said police had read a statement made by Mr Campbell to his client during his police interview that “has not been disclosed to the defence”. Judge Barney McElholm said he would deal with the disclosure application in two weeks and the case will be heard on March 23rd.

The defendant, who is contesting the case on the basis of freedom of information, was released on continuing police bail.