Two men charged in connection with weekend violence in Derry

Two men have appeared in court in Derry charged in connection with public order offences following an Apprentice Boys parade in the city on Saturday.
35 year old Gerard Anthony Kelly from Corrody Road in the Waterside, and 36 year old John Patrick Duffy from Lone Moor Gardens each face a number of charges.
The court was told that Kelly was seen in a crowd of youths who were throwing petrol bombs at police. He was followed to a house nearby and police arrested him.
Police opposed bail on the grounds that they believed Kelly was inciting others to throw petrol bombs at the time.
Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that his client would claim that he was trying to discourage others from rioting. District Judge Barney McElholm said he did not believe that. He released Kelly on his own bail of £1000 with one surety of £1000, ordered him to be tagged, observe a curfew from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. and refrain from alcohol.
He was also ordered not to set foot on the west bank of the Foyle, except for court appearances.
At the same court, John Duffy was charged with riotous behaviour, throwing petrol bombs and possessing petrol bombs on the same day.
The court was told that shortly after 6 p.m Duffy was abusive to police, and later, he was seen throwing a petrol bomb which hit a landrover.
He then entered a house in Fahan Street where police arrested him.
At interview, he told police he had been drinking since 2 p.m., and had been given a petrol bomb which he threw. Defence solicitor Mr. Kevin Casey said his client was just a ‘drunk man in the wrong place at the wrong time on the wrong day.’
Duffy was released on his own bail of £1000 with a surety of £1000, ordered to observe a curfew from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. and abstain from alcohol.
Both men will appear again on September 12th.