Derry & Strabane Council legal observer move for Councillor charged in connection with Gaza protest
Derry City and Strabane District Council will send a legal observer to Councillor Shaun Harkin’s court appearances in connection with Gaza protests following a suggestion by a fellow elected representative.
In July, the People Before Profit representative was charged with taking part in an unnotified procession, from the Diamond to the Guildhall Square, on February 17 last year.
During a September committee meeting this week, Independent Derry City & Strabane District Councillor Gary Donnelly noted that council had sent legal observers in incidents where members were before court and suggested they do so for councillor Harkin.
As councillor Donnelly is not a Committee member, SDLP councillor Catherine McDaid put forward a motion, asking council to send a legal observer to court hearings.
Six members voted in favour of the motion, with DUP Alderman Chelsea Cooke, UUP Alderman Derek Hussey, and DUP Alderman Gary Wilkinson voting against it.
Councillor Harkin abstained from the vote.