Coalisland man facing sword charge, escorted from court premises after fisticuffs

A fight in the waiting area at East Tyrone Magistrate’s Court resulted in a defendant being removed from the building by police for his own safety.
Dungannon Courthouse TT0509-JS112Dungannon Courthouse TT0509-JS112
Dungannon Courthouse TT0509-JS112

The incident took place at Dungannon Courthouse on Wednesday following an appearance in the dock by Stephen Gerard Quinn, 44, from Bellavale Terrace in Coalisland.

He was appearing to face charges of disorderly behaviour and of having a sword in a public place on March 2 this year.

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However, during a short adjournment in the case a scuffle broke out just outside the court and raised voices could be heard within.

Mr Quinn’s solicitor consequently told the court that the defendant had to be escorted off the premises for his own safety.

“There was a falling out between Quinn and a member of the Cawley family in the main body of the court … fisticuffs … and he was removed from the court,” a police constable told District Judge John Meehan.

The defendant later reappeared and was released on £250 bail to return to court on April 1.

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