Two men admit Facebook hate posts over Mosque

Two men who last year were charged with making threats on social media to damage a mosque in Coleraine have each pleaded guilty to a count of sending a grossly offensive message on Facebook, a court has heard.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th Jun 2016, 08:00 BST
Updated 25th Aug 2016, 18:34 BST

James Boyd (27), of Windyhill Road, Macosquin and Lee Gareth Darren McConnell (31) of Millfields, Balnamore, have both admitted the charge which related to Facebook posts in November last year.

In May both men had a charge withdrawn that on the same date as the November posts they made a comment on the social media site regarding threats to destroy or damage the Coleraine mosque.

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When McConnell first appeared in court last year, one charge accused of him of making reference to the Coleraine Mosque on Facebook by stating: ‘It’s been here for quite a while mate c***s will be here before you know it, they need burned alive in the mosque the tramps’.

The full facts of the case have yet to be outlined to the court.

The guilty pleas from Boyd and McConnell regarding one charge came at Coleraine Magistrates Court last week.

They each still faces two other charges of improper use of electronic communications and publishing written material intended to stir up hate.

A decision on what is going to happen in relation to those charges was adjourned.

McConnell has been remanded in continuing custody and Boyd released on continuing bail.

Related topics:FacebookColeraine