Lurgan man freed on bail

A man allegedly involved in the Drumcree violence in July has been freed on bail but warned to stay away from a protest rally…

A man allegedly involved in the Drumcree violence in July has been freed on bail but warned to stay away from a protest rally in Portadown on Saturday.

In the High Court in Belfast yesterday, Mr Justice Sheil told Mr Jonathan Turner (18) that if there was any breach of his bail conditions he would be brought back to court and returned to custody.

The judge said his order applied not only to Saturday's rally organised by the Drumcree Support Group but to all manner of demonstrations and band parades.

Earlier a Crown lawyer claimed that Mr Turner, from Ashleigh Crescent, Lurgan, Co Armagh, was one of the ringleaders in a small group of rioters attacking police lines with blast bombs, petrol bombs, fireworks and other missiles.

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The lawyer said the sustained attack culminated in the exploding of two gas cylinders which put the lives of police officers at risk.

Mr Turner, who is charged with possessing petrol bombs, was released on his own bail of £250 with two sureties of £250.