McDaid accused refused bail variation

At North Antrim Magistrates' Court on Friday was David James John Cochrane (49) of Windyhall Park who faces one charge of affray arising from the incident which lead to the death of Kevin McDaid in May last year.

An application was made to allow Cochrane to take part in the Apprentice Boys feeder parade in Coleraine last Saturday morning.

However, Detective Constable Mark Lamont told the court that police were objecting to the application.

"Our main objection is due to the threat of interference with witnesses," he said.

"The defendant is due to get picked up on the Strand Road, which is close to the murder scene and could also lead to the defendant and key witnesses sighting each other.

"Local police recently carried out a Community Impact Assessment and tensions are still high in the area. They believe that there is also a risk of confrontation between rival factions."

DC Lamont also revealed that Cochrane had breached his bail conditions on July 29 this year, but this was disputed by the defence.

The defence told the court that the defendant was allowed to take part in parades along a similar route on July 1 and 12 this year without incident.

The defence added that Cochrane, who has been on bail for over a year, has never interfered with witnesses and that recent incidents of interference were outside of his control.

District Judge, Mr Austin Kennedy, however agreed with the prosecution and refused the variation.

Cochrane is due to reappear before Ballymena Magistrates' Court on September 9.