Lurgan ‘dog walker’ denies rioting

A LAWYER for a Lurgan man accused of rioting in the Ardoyne area of Belfast on the Twelfth has claimed the only time his client left his home on the day in question was to walk his dog.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Jul 2012, 16:58 BST

Pearce Toman (25) from Drumnamoe Avenue, was identified from a newspaper photograph and pictures from an Army helicopter, according to a prosecution lawyer who said the accused had thrown a petrol bomb and pushed a burning car at police lines.

It was also alleged that Toman had been seen near a stash of petrol bombs being prepared by rioters.

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The prosecution lawyer who said Toman had travelled over 20 miles to put himself at the scene of a riot opposed bail because of fears that the accused could re-offend.

Toman’s lawyer said he denied he was the man in the photographs and claimed the only time he left his home in Lurgan on the Twelfth was to walk his dog.

Toman is charged with attempted grievous bodily harm, riotous assembly, possession of petrol bombs and throwing one of the devices.

Mr Justice Maguire said he was refusing bail because it was a sensitive time in Northern Ireland and there were a number of other parades coming up around the province.