Councillor has pro-Palestinian rally charge dropped

A councillor accused of taking part in an illegal pro-Palestinian demonstration more than two years ago has had the charge against him dropped.

At Londonderry Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, District Judge Conor Heaney ruled that Shaun Harkin had no case to answer following a demonstration at Ferryquay Street in Derry on 17 February 2024.

The judge said that following a protest inside Foyleside shopping centre a small group had made their way to a nearby Starbucks cafe, but he was satisfied this did not constitute a "procession" and dismissed the charge against Harkin.

The judge said four other people accused of taking part in a different illegal Pro-Palestinian parade do have a case to answer.

The four are accused of taking part in an illegal procession on 14 February 2024.

At the close of the prosecution case, defence counsel argued that the case should be dismissed due to lack of evidence, but the judge ruled there was a case to answer.

In November, the SDLP MP Colum Eastwood had a charge of attending the same rally dropped after he accepted a formal reprimand from the police.

In Northern Ireland, organisers must give 28 days' notice to the Parades Commission, the body that adjudicates on contentious parades, to hold a parade or procession.

The case against the four defendants will resume on 29 June.