OLD FIRM BAN FOR BELFAST DISSIDENT
Judge refuses father of six permission to attend match at Ibrox while he’s on bail for three terrorism-related charges
A PROMINENT dissident Republican who is on bail for alleged terrorism offences has been refused permission to attend today’s Old Firm game.
Damien “Dee” Fennell, of Belfast, asked the city’s crown court yesterday to vary his bail conditions to allow him to travel to Glasgow.
The court heard a Police Scotland superintendent “expressed the view that there would be a risk to public disorder” if the 35-year-old were to attend the match at Ibrox.
Fennell’s solicitor Darragh Mackin said the father of six was prepared to give Police Scotland details of his travel arrangements and to sign in at a police station once he arrived.
He added his client had no previous involvement in “football violence or disorderly behaviour of that nature”.
However, Judge Geoffrey Miller QC refused the application.
He said: “We all live in the real world and we are fully aware that the Old Firm game is always a highly emotive occasion.
“It’s very difficult for me to go against the view of the commander on the ground.”
Fennell stood trial at the same court earlier this week on terrorist-related offences.
He denied encouraging terrorism, inviting support for a proscribed organisation, namely the IRA, and encouraging support for the IRA during a rally in Lurgan, County Armagh, on April 5.
Fennell gave a speech at the Easter Rising event, which was later uploaded on the YouTube and Facebook pages of the Irish Republican Prisoner Welfare Association.
Judge Miller reserved judgment after the day-long non-jury trial and said he would give his ruling as “soon as is practical”.