Court is told '£1 million' worth of damage was caused in arson attack on Larne Leisure Centre during 'anti-immigration disorder'
A police officer told a court "£1 million" worth of damage was caused in an arson attack at Larne Leisure Centre during "anti-immigration disorder".
Details were given at Ballymena Magistrates Court on Thursday during a man's application to vary bail.
Nathan Gilbert Clifford (33), of Drumahoe Gardens, Larne, is charged with publishing information on June 11 on Facebook 'capable of encouraging or assisting the commission of one or more of a number of offences, namely riotous behaviour, criminal damage, intimidation or affray, believing that one or more of those offences would be committed, but having no belief as to which, and believing that your act will encourage or assist the commission of one or more of them'.
In relation to June 13 he is charged with sending by means of a communications network 'a message or other matter that was of a menacing character'. He is also charged with possession of cannabis on June 14.
At court on Thursday the accused was seeking to amend his bail so he can attend a family member's address during the night.
Objecting to the bail variation, a police officer said the defendant faces "serious" charges "linked to the anti-immigration disorder in June 2025 and the arson of the Larne Leisure Centre on the 11th of June, 2025, which cost over a million pounds worth of damage.
"Nathan Clifford was one of the administrators of the Larne Anti-Immigration Facebook Page which was used to identify locations around Larne where ethnic minorities were living and to advertise the protest at the Leisure Centre on the 11th of June.
"CCTV footage from Larne town later on the 11th of June shows Nathan Clifford driving one of the arson suspects around the town," said the officer.
The defendant is subject to electronic monitoring at night. The officer said if the defendant needs to attend a family member's address during the night he "can phone police or the electronic monitoring company".
A defence barrister said the defendant previously had his tag temporarily removed to attend a wedding and was also allowed in the Larne area during the day for "school runs" and caring for his family member for medical appointments and collecting prescriptions.
Deputy District Judge Noel Dunlop refused the bail variation. The case was adjourned to later this month.