‘Paedophile hunter’ on assault charges removed from court

A SELF-STYLED paedophile hunter was escorted from court yesterday after shouting “up the paedo hunters”.

It came after both the defendant and his barrister voiced concern over the length of time the case is taking to be heard.

Caolan Murray, of Mark Court in Lurgan, is charged with two counts of assault, two counts of attempted intimidation, possessing an offensive weapon in a public place and false imprisonment.

Previously, Craigavon Magistrates Court heard that the 24-year-old had attempted a “sting” operation on the injured party back on January 18, which he live-streamed to Facebook.

Murray then allegedly attacked the same man on FebruMr ary 22, with the court hearing how he approached his home armed “with a crossbow” — this too was streamed on Facebook.

The alleged victim was injured after being punched in the face, with the prosecution citing the person’s sexuality as an aggravating factor.

Yesterday, the prosecution told the court they required four more weeks to provide an update on the progress of the case.

This, they claimed, had been down to an “overlap in files” regarding the injured party, and a separate case involving him.

Defence barrister Conor Lunny branded this as “unacceptable”.

He told District Judge Gregg McCourt that Judge Bernie Kelly — the resident judge — had said that if no file had been present the case would proceed on report.

Lunny highlighted that this case was “approaching six or seven months”.

Murray also voiced his concern from the dock, saying: “I was told there would be a decision four weeks ago, this is a joke”.

District Judge Gregg McCourt also expressed concern at the time the case is taking to proceed.

“I am very concerned with the delay in this case,” noting that it had been in for decision two weeks ago,” he said.

Murray was ordered to return on August 31 for the investigating officer to attend.

As he left the dock the defendant shouted “up the paedo hunters”.

Whilst seated in the courtroom Murray continued to shout “paedophile” before he was escorted out by staff.