Rasharkin man rioted on night of loyalist band parade

A RASHARKIN man has been ordered to carry out 200 hours of Community Service after he admitted using riotous behaviour during disturbances in the village last August on the night of the Ballymaconnelly Band Parade.

Clive O'Boyle (27), an unemployed painter and decorator, of Churchfields, appeared at North Antrim Magistrates Court in Coleraine last Wednesday and admitted being riotous in the village on August 21.

A prosecutor said police used hand-held video cameras and cameras on the top of landrovers to gather evidence and at one stage a number of people could be seen running into the Orangefield Place area and petrol bombs were thrown.

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O'Boyle was identified on the footage and when he was arrested on October 26 he admitted he was present.

A defence lawyer admitted it was a serious offence but claimed her client was not one of the main perpetrators and had been in the area "out of curiosity".

She alleged O'Boyle's actions were "retaliatory" after he was hit on the leg by a half brick and he wishes to apologise.

District Judge Richard Wilson told O'Boyle he would have been wiser to have stayed away from the area.

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Commenting on a previous offence committed by O'Boyle whilst attending a nightclub in October 2008, Mr Wilson remarked it was more of a case of the defendant "acting the fool" on that occasion rather than protesting about some march.

Imposing the Community Service Order he told O'Boyle: "Get the work done and stay out of trouble."

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