Riot charge man takes the 'pledge'

A JUDGE has warned a Ballymena man who has stopped drinking for religious reasons that he is "not only answerable to God, you are answerable to me."

DIstrict Judge Des Perry was speaking to Barry McGill (21), of Dunclug Park, who admitted a charge of riotous behaviour, when he appeared at Ballymena Magistrates Court.

The court was told that police came under attack from a group of around 15 people at Dunvale on September 19, during disturbances between two rival factions.

Police retreated from the scene to monitor the situation when a group of three men, one of whom was McGill, came to within 10 metres of them, shouting abuse.

McGill continued to act in such an aggressive manner that police had to deploy CS gas spray.

Barrister Andrew Moriarty said McGill “had an excessive amount of alcohol on board”.

“Since this time he has re-taken his pledge with a local parish priest to abstain from alcohol,” the barrister added.

Deferring sentence until October 7, District Judge Perry warned McGill: “In the next six months, you are not only answerable to God, you are answerable to me.”

The judge added that if McGill re-offends in the next six months: “I will have no hesitation in sending you off to Maghaberry.”

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