A Co Derry farmer was fined £400 at Magherafelt Magistrates Court today for making a polluting discharge to a waterway.

The court heard Water Quality Inspectors, acting on behalf of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, inspected a waterway at Luney Bridge, Luney Lane, Magherafelt on 5 November last year and observed brown fungus attached to aquatic vegetation in the waterway.

The source of the polluting discharge was traced to farm premises owned by Geoffrey Stewart, Luney Road, Magherafelt

The length of waterway affected by the discharge was approximately 1300 metres

A sample taken at the time of the incident confirmed that the discharges contained poisonous, noxious or polluting matter which was potentially harmful to fish life in the receiving waterway.

Stewart was also ordered to pay £31 court costs and a £15 Offenders Levy,

The prosecution was brought under Article 7 (1) (a) of the Water (Northern Ireland) Order 1999.

Damian Murray. Photo: North West News Pix.

A 32-year-old man has appeared in court charged in connection with arson attacks an Orange Hall and Protestant church in Co Donegal last week.

Damian Murray (32), Ardmiran Park, Stranorlar, is accused of causing criminal damage to an Orange Hall and Presbyterian Church in Convoy.

Around €250,000 worth of damage was caused during the incidents which occurred in the early hours of Friday morning last.

Members of the Convoy Orange Lodge were among those in the packed courtroom at Letterkenny District Court.

Murray was remanded in custody to appear Harristown District Court this Friday.

At a separate hearing, Eamon McGill (30), with addresses in Convoy and Strabane, was charged with causing €100 worth of damage to a fence outside Convoy.

He also faces motoring offences.

Eamonn McGill. Photo: North West News Pix.

He was also remanded in custody to appear again at Harristown District Court on Friday.

As he was led away by Gardai, McGill was cheered by a large crowd that had gathered outside the courthouse.

The reducing offending unit at Strand Road PSNI have charged a 26 year old man with nine offences including burglary, handling stolen goods, aggravated taking and driving away and a number of other motoring offences.

It follows the alleged theft of a vehicle at approximately 2.30am yesterday.

The vehicle failed to stop for police and crashed into a roundabout at a junction near Glenabbey Heights.

The man is due to appear at Derry Magistrates Court today.

Two women, aged 20 and 23, who were also in the vehicle have been released pending report to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) for aggravated taking and driving away.

A Strabane farmer has been fined at total of £450 at the town’s Magistrates Court after admitting a number of offences relating to the movement and keeping of cattle.

Richard Black, Moorlough Road, Artigarvan pleaded guilty to failing to notify the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of the movement of 32 bovine animals off his holding.

He also admitted failing to keep a Herd Register and of failing to produce a Veterinary Medicine Record in accordance with the Regulations.

He was fined £450 and ordered to pay £40 costs and £15 offender’s levy.

The case, brought by the Department of Agricultural and Rural Development (DARD) arose from a number of discrepancies found at a cattle identification inspection.

The late Margo Evans.

A 32-year-old man is due to appear in court tomorrow charged with murder of a woman in Co Derry earlier this year.

Mother of three, Margaret (Margo) Evans (69), was found dead in the back garden of her home at Knockancor Drive in Portstewart on the afternoon  of Wednesday 4 June.

At the time, police said she had suffered a “brutal assault.”

A 32-year-old man arrested at the time in relation to the murder – believed to be her son – was later released from police custody and detained under the Mental Health Act.

Police have tonight said the latest arrested man will appear at Coleraine Magistrates Court tomorrow.

Andrew Carlin arriving at Letterkenny Court.

A couple from Derry were released on bail when they appeared in court in Donegal charged in connection with a Garda chase in Inishowen.

Andrew Carlin (28) and Charmaine Bradley (18) appeared at Letterkenny District Court charged in connection with the incident which occurred earlier this week.

Carlin,  of Knockdara Park in the Waterside,  was charged with having a car without the consent of its owner.

He was remanded on strict bail conditions including reporting to Buncrana Garda Station three days a week.

Bradley, a hairdresser from Collon Lane in the Galliagh area, was charged with allowing herself to be carried in a stolen vehicle.

Charmaine Bradley arriving at court.

The late Margo Evans.

A 32-year-old man has appeared in Court charged with the murder of his mother in Co Derry earlier this year.

Alun Kinny Evans was also charged with possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply when he appeared at Coleraine Magistrates Court.

Retired businesswoman Margaret Evans (69) was found with fatal injuries in the garden of her Knockancor Drive home in Portstewart on 4 June.

Evans spoke only once, confirming he understood the charges, during the brief hearing.

The Court was told Evans had been receiving treatment at the secure mental health facility at Shannon clinic in Knockbracken in Belfast.

He was released on his own bail to £2,500 on the condition that he resides at the secure unit in Knockbracken.

John McGahan at a previous court hearing. (C) North West Newspix

Two retired RUC detectives are to stand trial on charges connected to an alleged miscarriage of justice involving four Derry men 35 years ago.

John McGahan (71) and Philip Noel Thomson (64), whose addresses were given as PSNI headquarters, Knock Road, Belfast, denied the charges when they appeared at Belfast Crown Court.

The charges relate to statements taken during an investigation into the murder of Lt Steven Kirby, of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, in Derry in February 1979.

Four teenagers, who became known as the “Derry Four” after they jumped bail, were charged with the killing.

Gerry McGowan, Michael Toner, Stephen Crumlish and Gerard Kelly went to the Republic from where they protested their innocence.

Philip Thomson leaving a previous court hearing.

All charges against them were dropped almost 20 years later.

Their treatment by the RUC was investigated by the Police Ombudsman and in 2012 the matter was referred to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS).

Both accused were remanded on continuing bail.

Their  trial was expected to start later this year and could last up to three weeks.

Two men have been charged in connection with the attempted armed robbery of a shop in Derry on Friday night last.

The two, both aged 19, were detained by police following the incident which occurred around 9.00pm at Northland Stores on Northland Avenue.

One of the men, who was armed with a knife, demanded money from a member of staff.

When no money was handed over, he was strained by members of the public and arrested when police arrived.

The second man was arrested a short time later.

They are due to appear at Derry Magistrates Court in the morning.

The attempted armed robbery of a corner shop in Derry at the weekend was carried out to fund a £500 “drugs debt,” Derry Magistrates Court has heard.

Before the court were Seosamh Deehan (19), of Gweebarra Park in Foyle Springs, and James Rush (20), of Glen Road.

Both were jointly charged with the attempted robbery of Northland Stores on Northland Avenue on Friday night last.

They were also accused of possessing an offensive weapon, namely a knife, and of conspiring to rob the corner shop.

A PSNI detective told the court he could connect both accused to the charges.

The detective told the court that approximately 9.00pm on Friday, Deehan, wearing a balaclava and armed with a knife, entered the shop and demanded money from a member of staff.

The court heard Deehan was then “tackled” by a member of the public and held until help was sought.

The detective told the court Rush was at nearby Cedar Street where he got into a taxi, ordering the driver to drive slowly past the shop before telling him to drive on,

The court heard both were detected shoplifting in the Richmond Centre the previous evening and that Deehan said he carried out the offences “under duress” to pay a £500 “drugs debt.”

Under cross-examination from defence solicitors, the detective told the court Rush did not enter the shop and did not have a weapon.

He told the court when Rush got into the taxi, he told the driver to stop at the shop to “pick up Deeks” who had been buying cigarettes.

The detective added Rush had told police he had informed Deehan he wanted nothing to do with the robbery and “jumped in” the taxi to leave the scene.

The court heard Deehan co-operated with police and made a “full admission” during interviews.

The detective informed the court Deehan had a drug addiction and was under the influence of drugs when the offence was committed.

Both accused were released on their own bail of £750, ordered to be electronically tagged, stay away from the Rosemount area and not to be in contact with witnesses.

They were also told not to consume or be in the possession of proscribed drugs, legal highs or alcohol and ordered not to be in contact with each other.

Resident Magistrate Barney McElhom released Deehan to reside with his mother and adhere to a 7.00pm-7.00am curfew.

Rush was released to stay with his sister in England. He was also ordered to adhere to an 8.00pm – 8.00am curfew and told not to enter Northern Ireland unless “directed” to attend court.

Both accused were remanded to appear at Derry Magistrates Court on 10 November next.

Mr McElholm told Rush he would be excused for appearing in person at that hearing.

The attempted armed robbery of a corner shop in Derry at the weekend was carried out to fund a £500 “drugs debt,” Derry Magistrates Court has heard.

Before the court were Seosamh Deehan (19), of Gweebarra Park in Foyle Springs, and James Rush (20), of Glen Road.

Both were jointly charged with the attempted robbery of Northland Stores on Northland Avenue on Friday night last.

They were also accused of possessing an offensive weapon, namely a knife, and of conspiring to rob the corner shop.

A PSNI detective told the court he could connect both accused to the charges.

The detective told the court that approximately 9.00pm on Friday, Deehan, wearing a balaclava and armed with a knife, entered the shop and demanded money from a member of staff.

The court heard Deehan was then “tackled” by a member of the public and held until help was sought.

The detective told the court Rush was at nearby Cedar Street where he got into a taxi, ordering the driver to drive slowly past the shop before telling him to drive on,

The court heard both were detected shoplifting in the Richmond Centre the previous evening and that Deehan said he carried out the offences “under duress” to pay a £500 “drugs debt.”

Under cross-examination from defence solicitors, the detective told the court Rush did not enter the shop and did not have a weapon.

He told the court when Rush got into the taxi, he told the driver to stop at the shop to “pick up Deeks” who had been buying cigarettes.

The detective added Rush had told police he had informed Deehan he wanted nothing to do with the robbery and “jumped in” the taxi to leave the scene.

The court heard Deehan co-operated with police and made a “full admission” during interviews.

The detective informed the court Deehan had a drug addiction and was under the influence of drugs when the offence was committed.

Both accused were released on their own bail of £750, ordered to be electronically tagged, stay away from the Rosemount area and not to be in contact with witnesses.

They were also told not to consume or be in the possession of proscribed drugs, legal highs or alcohol and ordered not to be in contact with each other.

Resident Magistrate Barney McElhom released Deehan to reside with his mother and adhere to a 7.00pm-7.00am curfew.

Rush was released to stay with his sister in England. He was also ordered to adhere to an 8.00pm – 8.00am curfew and told not to enter Northern Ireland unless “directed” to attend court.

Both accused were remanded to appear at Derry Magistrates Court on 10 November next.

Mr McElholm told Rush he would be excused for appearing in person at that hearing.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment has accepted disqualification undertakings from the directors of a Co Derry consumable goods business.

The undertakings for five years were received from Robert Hazlett Millar (65), of McLean Road, Eglinton and Robert Thomas Millar (40), of Bishops Road, Limavady, in respect of their conduct as directors of Millar Savoury Foods Limited.

The Department previously accepted a disqualification undertaking for five years from another director on 25 February this year.

The company carried on the business of manufacturing and supplying consumable goods from Airfield Road, Eglinton and entered administration on 1 June 2011 with estimated total assets available to preferential creditors of £257,150, liabilities to preferential creditors of £7,500, liabilities to floating charge holders of £112,677, liabilities to unsecured creditors of £391,874 and an estimated deficiency as regards creditors of £254,901.

After taking into account the losses incurred by members (the shareholders) of the company the estimated total deficiency was £254,911.

The Department accepted the disqualification undertakings from both men on 19 September 2014 based on the following unfit conduct which solely for the purposes of the disqualification procedure was not disputed:

Causing and permitting the Company to breach an Invoice Discounting Agreement held with Ulster Bank Limited by failing to pay over £107,086 to the Ulster Bank during the period 27 September 2010 to 1 June 2011, thereby withholding a maximum of £37,868 properly payable to the Ulster Bank Limited;

Failing to file the correct information relating to the Company with Companies House.
The Department has accepted 33 Disqualification Undertakings and the Court has made five orders disqualifying directors in the financial year commencing 1 April 2014.

Three people arrested in Derry as part of a major operation to combat the supply of controlled drugs into Northern Ireland are due to appear the city’s Magistrates Court today.

A 44-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man are charged with drug offences including conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, namely cocaine and conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, namely cannabis.

A 40-year-old man is charged with possession of Class A drugs, namely cocaine with intent to supply and possession of cannabis with intent to supply.

The charges relate to quantities of cocaine and herbal cannabis with an estimated street value of £125,000 seized in Derry on 13 June this year.

A 42-year-old man, also arrested yesterday, was released on bail pending a report to the PPS.

The four were among nine people detained in various parts of the North and Manchester in England.

The arrests followed searches in Derry, Belfast, Newry and Newtownards.

Organised Crime Branch detectives were assisted by officers from Greater Manchester Police, the National Crime Agency, the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit and Police Scotland.

Three people, charged in connection with a £125,00o drugs find in Derry earlier this year, are members of a sophisticated crime gang in the city that has lost £2 million of drugs in the past year, police have told Derry Magistrates Court.

The three, a 44-year-old woman, and two men, aged 30 and 40, were charged with a number of drugs offences, including conspiracy to supply and being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis.

The charges relate to the seizure of £125,000 worth of drugs by police in the city on 13 June this year.

Resident Magistrate Barney McElholm granted the three anonymity after being told one of the two men had a death threat issued against him by paramilitaries five years ago.

Opposing bail to all three, a PSNI detective told the court that on the date in question one of the two men was observed loading packages from the boot of a car into a wheelie-bin, allegedly owned by the woman,  and when searched it was found the bin contained cocaine and cannabis.

Alleging the driver of the car was the leader of the crime gang who has already appeared in court in connection with the find, the detective told the court police feared the three accused would reoffend as they had to “recoup” £2 million lost as a result of drug seizures by police in the city since September last year.

Revealing eight officers were involved in the June police operation, the detective conceded six were “not confident” to pick out the man seen loading the wheelie-bin while the two that did, failed to identify him.

The detective added the police investigation centred around “phone traffic” involving the alleged gang leader, pointing out so-called “dirty phones” used by all the accused leading up to the time of the seizure had not been used since.

Bail was refused and all three were remanded in custody to appear at Derry Magistrates Court via video link on 6 November next.

A 32-year-old man is due to appear at Derry Magistrates Court today charged with a number of  offences linked to £2 million worth of drugs seizures in Northern Ireland.

He was one of four people arrested in the city following an investigation which saw nine people detained throughout the North and Manchester in England.

Earlier this week,  three people charged in connection with the seizure of £125,000 worth of cocaine and cannabis in Derry were granted anonymity when they appeared at the city’s Magistrates Court.

An PSNI detective told the court the three were members of a “highly sophisticated crime gang.”

The three, two men and a women, were granted anonymity by Resident Magistrate Barney McElholm after the detective told the court “any persons linked to drugs in this town or city are immediately under a perceived threat by individuals in this city.”

All three were remanded in custody to appear in court again via video link on 6 November next.

Also this week, four men appeared at Belfast Magisrtrates  Court charged in connection with the discovery of more than £600,000 worth of herbal cannabis in a lorry at Seven Mile Straight in September last year.

The four, Edward Cameron (53), Philip Colville (42), Michael Rainey (48) and Scott Sotheron  (39), were each charged with conspiracy to supply and being involved in the supply of Class B drugs.

All four were remanded in custody to appear again by video link on 13 November.

A 32-year-old Derry man, who survived an attempt to murder him six years ago, was described as a “principal member” of a crime gang responsible for bringing over £2 million worth of drugs into Northern Ireland when he appeared at Derry Magistrates Court this morning charged with a number of drugs offences.

Declan Gallagher, with an address in Greater Manchester in England, faced a total of 17 charges relating to  six seizures of cocaine and cannabis with a street value of £2.1 million.

Gallagher, whose occupation in court papers was given as a driving instructor, is charged on dates unknown between September last year and August this year of conspiring and being concerned in the supply of class A and class B drugs, namely cocaine and cannabis, in the Derry, Belfast, Antrim  and Craigavon areas.

The is also charged with the importation of cocaine into the Craigavon area on 22 June last.

He faced two further charges of conspiring to supply cocaine and cannabis in the Derry, Antrim, Newtownards, Fermanagh, Tyrone, Armagh, South Down and Belfast areas between 1 September last year and 14 October last.

Following an application for anonymity by defence solicitor, Paddy MacDermott, Resident Magistrate Barney McElholm ruled Gallagher could be named but that his address be given only as Greater Manchester.

Mr McElholm made the ruling after hearing Gallagher had survived an attempt to murder him in 2008 while he was living in St Johnston in Co Donegal.

At the time the gang responsible, believed to the Derry-based Republican Action Against Drugs (RAAD), abducted his girlfriend and shot dead her dog.

Weeks later, a bomb disposal team dismantled an incendiary device which partially exploded at the house.

Opposing an application for bail, a PSNI detective told the court the offences related to the seizure of six major consignments of drugs, worth £2.1 million, brought into Northland Ireland over the past year.

The detective added Gallagher was a “principal” member of the gang behind the seized drugs.

The police witness told the court Gallagher was the eighth member of the gang to appear in court this week, adding police had “substantial evidence” linking him the offences.

This included evidence of him meeting other members of the gang both in Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of a number of trips to Spain and Amsterdam in Holland.

The detective said during police interviews, the accused made not attempt to explain the reasons for the trips.

The detective said police feared if  Gallagher was released on bail he would reoffend in an attempt to recoup the “very significant” financial losses.

In response to questions from Mr MacDermott, the detective conceded there was no forensic evidence linking the accused to the offences, adding Gallagher’s involvement was “very intelligent and sophisticated.”

The detective also said Gallagher had denied the offences.

Refusing bail, Mr McElholm said was a “flight risk” due to his links links in the Republic of Ireland, England, Spain and Amsterdam.

Gallagher was remanded in custody to appear in court on 6 November next via video link.

A man and woman have been fined after appearing at Derry Magistrates Court on separate charges of claiming benefits totalling almost £6,500 they were not entitled to.

Daniel McLaughlin (24) of Broomy Lane, claimed Jobseekers Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £2,691 while failing to declare employment.

He was fined £300 and ordered to pay courts costs of £40.

Leighann Anderson (27) of Linsfort Drive, claimed Income Support totalling £3,730 while failing to declare employment.

She was fined £200, ordered to pay an offenders levy of £15 and court costs of £34.

Both are also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

A 34-year-old man was remanded in custody when he appeared at Derry Magistrates Court this afternoon charged with raping a woman in the city at the weekend.

James Frickleton, of no fixed abode, was charged with committing the offence at St Columb’s Park in the Waterside area of the city  in the early hours of yesterday morning.

He was also charged with carrying out a serious sexual assault on the woman.

A PSNI detective constable told the court she could connect the accused to the charges.

During a three-minutre hearing, defence solicitor, Seamus Quigley, told the court there would be no application for bail as the accused had only come to Derry from “down south” in the past week.

Frickleton was remanded in custody to appear in court again on 13 November next via video link.

Two men were remanded in custody when they appeared at Derry Magistrates Court on charges connected to what a judge described as a “mini crime spree” in the city at the weekend.

Patrick  Christopher McCallion (23), of Capall Court, Derry and Jordan Hazlett (19), of Linenhall Street, Limavady, faced a number of charges connected burglaries at properties at Bond’s Hill and Clooney Mews in the Waterside area on Friday night last.

The charges included the theft fire extinguisher and a bottle of wine, handling stolen goods, disorderly behaviour, threats to kill, attempted burglary and being found on a premises for unlawful purposes.

Opposing a bail application by defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott, a PSNI detective told the court Hazlett committed the offences only hours after being given a suspended sentence.

Stating she could connect both accused to the charges, the police witness said entry to the properties involved was gained by front doors being “kicked in.”

After hearing McCallion had a total of 31 previous offences and Hazlett had 17 previous convictions, Resident Magistrate Barney McElholm said both accused had been “given many opportunities.

Stating both had been involved in a “mini crime spree,” Mr McElholm said he would not trust either of them to adhere to bail conditions.

Both were remanded in custody to appear in court via video link on 30 November.