Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Pitt Park ‘a peaceful walk-through with support of residents’
Court told 11 people forced to flee homes for a week after incident
UP to 60 masked men were involved in an alleged UVF gathering, the High Court heard yesterday.
However, a defence lawyer claimed they were staging a peaceful “walkthrough” the area to deter one family’s suspected anti-social behaviour.
Prosecutors claimed 11 people were forced to flee and shelter in a community centre for more than a week because the East Belfast show of strength left them fearing for their lives.
But a defence lawyer argued that it had been a non-violent protest supported by residents “tortured” by the behaviour of others in the Pitt Park area.
Further details emerged as bail was refused to two men accused of taking part in the gathering on February 2.
Derek Lammey, 56, from Spring Place in Belfast, and David Matthews, 34, of Millreagh in Dundonald, are both charged with unlawful assembly and affray. Matthews’ 58-year-old father, Stephen Matthews, of Pansy Street in Belfast, remains in custody accused of the same offences.
With the case against all three men based on disputed identification evidence, the defendants do not accept involvement. Prosecution counsel Natalie Pinkerton said police in the area saw 50 to 60 men arriving with faces covered.
She told the court: “These weren’t described as surgical masks but more as dark scarves with hoods up.”
One policeman was so concerned that he locked the doors of his vehicle, the court heard.
The gathering was split into subgroups, according to the prosecution, with the first section allegedly led into Pitt Park by Lammey and Stephen Matthews.
A larger group headed by David Matthews followed behind, it was claimed.
According to Ms Pinkerton 11 members of the public fled to the nearby Ballymac Centre, where they remained for up to eight days under constant police presence. She told the court:
“This included a pregnant woman, children and it’s indicated they brought their dogs from their homes.
“They told police that they feared for their safety and their lives.”
Asked if they were allegedly targeted by the crowd, counsel referred to an “undercurrent” and confirmed that those who went to the community centre were all part of the same family.
Statements from civilian witnesses claimed the group of masked men were part of the East Belfast UVF, the court heard.
One witness said she had been warned that a crowd was on the way and she should get her children out of the house for safety. Another said a friend told her to get out because a “team” was coming.
Even though none of the defendants have been charged with any paramilitary offences, Ms Pinkerton said: “Based on the evidence it’s the police belief that all of these men are members of the UVF.”
Conor O’kane, representing Derek Lammey, claimed most people living in the area were in support of what occurred.
He said: “There is a small family who the Pitt Park residents group say have ‘tortured’ the broader community for years.”
The barrister went on to claim there was nothing sinister about covering faces during the ongoing pandemic.
He said: “If this was a few years ago 30 or 40 men with masks on would be one thing, but in Covid masks have a different connotation completely.” Denying bail to both accused, however, Mr Justice Mcfarland cited the risk of potential further offences.
He added: “There still appears to be a problem in this area.”
During Covid masks have a different connotation completely CONOR O’KANE COURT YESTERDAY