Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)

DUP’S Smith votes against his party on LGBT lights

- BY CIARA COLHOUN and MAURICE FITZMAURIC­E

Cahill sought a condition banning the accused from Dublin Airport unless he had “legitimate business” at the transport hub.

However, this was successful­ly resisted by Mr Connolly, who objected to this condition.

Garda Cahill said it was possible there would be “further charges”.

Kehoe has not yet indicated how he will plead.

Judge Owens did not ban him from the airport but imposed the statutory bail terms to keep the peace and be of good behaviour.

He was released on his own bond of €200 [£178] and ordered to appear again on November 8 for the DPP’S directions to be conveyed.

Legal aid was granted after Mr Connolly provided a statement of his client’s means.

Kehoe was photograph­ed lugging a suitcase as he left the court with a woman shortly after the hearing. A DUP councillor has broken ranks with his party to vote in favour of lighting up a town hall in LGBT colours.

The building in Ards will not light up for Pride following a “fractious” council debate on Wednesday night.

Ards and North Down Borough Council was asked to approve the plan in August.

But the proposal fell following a debate around a DUP amendment, which was approved by 20 councillor­s and rejected by 16.

DUP councillor Tom Smith voted against his party while four councillor­s were absent from the meeting.

Speaking at the debate, he said: “All of this happens Mr Mayor not because these are terrible people, not because they’ve done anything wrong, but simply because they are gay, they are lesbian, they are bisexual and they are transgende­r.

“For me this is not a political issue, this is about doing what is right.”

Alliance Party councillor Gavin Walker, who was behind the proposal with party colleague Andrew Muir, accused the DUP of using “a wrecking motion to try to prevent us acknowledg­ing this community even exists”.

The DUP declined to comment.

 ??  ?? IT’S A REAL CARRY ON Patrick Kehoe at Dublin District Court yesterday
IT’S A REAL CARRY ON Patrick Kehoe at Dublin District Court yesterday
 ??  ?? PINNED DOWN Man is restrained on the tarmac at Dublin Airport
PINNED DOWN Man is restrained on the tarmac at Dublin Airport
 ??  ?? IN FAVOUR Tom Smith
IN FAVOUR Tom Smith

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