Possible warnings were not heard following pro-Palestine demonstration, Derry court hears
A police officer has told a court hearing that as far as he knew no-one had directed a crowd to march from the Diamond to the Guildhall during a pro-Palestine demonstration in February 2024.
Five people including local Derry and Strabane councillor Shaun Harkin are charged with taking part in an unnotified procession.
Goretti Horgan (70) of Westland Avenue, Davina Pulis (36) of Knoxhill Park, Robert Paul Maxwell (60) of Rathlin Drive and Jude Coffey (27) of Gartan Square and local councillor Shaun Harkin (52) of Beechwood Avenue, all in Derry, are charged with taking part in an illegal procession on February 14, 2024, and in Harkin's case, February 17, in support of Palestine.
The court was shown footage of the demonstration on February 14 following a vigil in the Diamond, which police accepted was peaceful. The court heard the crowd then marched to the Guildhall where a brief meeting was held.
A Sergeant from the PSNI gave evidence of warning the marchers that they were taking part in an unnotified parade.
Under cross-examination from Michael Mansfield KC, representing Horgan, Pulis and Shaun Harkin, the officer said he was not aware of anyone directing the crowd to march to the Guildhall.
He was asked how anyone could observe the 28 day notice requirement if a crowd just move off.
The officer was asked by Stephen McNicholl, representing Coffey and Maxwell, if it was possible that due to the chanting and general noise people may not have heard the warnings and he agreed that was possible.
The case in front of District Judge Conor Heaney is expected to last the rest of the day.
At hearing.