An application to vary bail conditions that would allow a man facing terrorism charges to spend Easter weekend in Derry with his girlfriend has been rejected.
A barrister acting on behalf of Sean Pearson made the application at Belfast Crown Court today, but it was refused by Judge Neil Rafferty KC.
Pearson, from Culmore Park in Omagh, has been accused of three offences dating to May 6, 2023, when it is alleged a car was hijacked and used to transport a hoax device to a police station.
The 32-year-old has been charged with threatening to compel a witness to use a VW Golf for an unlawful purpose, namely conveying a hoax bomb device to Omagh PSNI station, placing an article inside a vehicle with the intention of causing a bomb hoax, and possessing a firearm or imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
Having spent time in custody, Pearson was granted bail and a number of conditions were imposed. These include residing in Omagh and adhering to a 10pm to 7am curfew.
Defence barrister Jonathan Browne said he was seeking a temporary change to Pearson's residence for this Friday and Saturday.
He said this was to allow his client to spend this weekend with his partner who lives in Derry and that he would return to Omagh on Sunday morning.
Judge Rafferty asked if Pearson had applied to stay with his partner before, and when told he had not, the judge noted "Easter weekend in Derry" was the first time such a request has been made.
The defence barrister told Judge Rafferty this was a "reasonably recent" relationship.
Mr Browne said Pearson has been on bail "for a significant period of time", that he had not breached any of the conditions imposed, and that variations in the past have allowed him to travel to Donegal without incident.
Addressing Crown concerns about Pearson being in Derry over the Easter period, Mr Browne said: "I have taken instructions from Mr Pearson directly. He has no interest in going to any form of parade or commemoration – legal or illegal – while in Derry.
He effectively wants to go, stay with his partner overnight for those two nights and then make his way back to Omagh."
Urging Judge Rafferty to grant the application, Mr Browne said Pearson was well aware that any breach would result in him being back in custody.
Judge Rafferty asked about the location of the address in Derry and was informed it was in the Creggan area.
Following this, the judge said: "The application is refused."
by WrongdoerGold1683
9 comments
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Why is this news? As it should be unless I’m missing something?
Cheek of the tramp
Some neck on him 🙄
https://preview.redd.it/362fjxf1i8ve1.jpeg?width=521&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b31a38759abe4a8692ed7026d6e21d6c93337aea
Bai looks like he eats cheese through a straw.
The thing is if you asked these so called “Republicans” to recite the Proclamation they would look at you like you have 2 heads
If you asked this knobhead to recite the Proclamation he wouldn’t know what you’re talking about. Republican my hole
He looks like a caricature of every “free Ireland” gobshite I grew up with, as someone else said, he more than likely couldn’t recite the proclamation if asked to.
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