Breached bail by going to mother’s house too early

Paul McIntyre, of Kinnego Park, was initially charged with rioting, petrol bomb offences, and the arson of a tipper truck in April 2019.

But in February this year he was further charged with Ms McKee’s murder, possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, and belonging to a proscribed organisation.

The 52-year-old was granted high court bail last week due to ongoing delays in the case as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

McIntyre was ordered to abide by a number of bail conditions, including observing an exclusion zone.

He was permitted to enter the exclusion zone once a week to visit his mother between 2pm and 5pm on a Wednesday.

Derry Magistrate’s Court heard the defendant was observed at his mother’s address at 1:55pm.

Prosecuting counsel David Russell said that police did not arrest McIntyre immediately ‘for fear of causing further difficulties’ and attended his bail address later that evening.

The prosecutor told the court it was a ‘relatively modest breach’ and added bail was objected to.

Defence counsel Eoghan Devlin said his client had an issue with his watch and this was shown to police.

He added that his client was previously on bail for four months without any issue.

District Judge Stephen Keown re-released McIntyre on bail with the same terms and conditions until later this month.