A man has appeared at Derry Magistrate’s Court charged with permitting the display of a snowman holding a rocket launcher, and an image related to a deceased police officer.
Joseph Patrick Barr, 29, of Little James’ Street, has been charged with two counts of permitting the display of provocative images.
The images appeared at the office of the Irish Republican Prisoners Welfare Association, a body that supports republican inmates and their families.
The building, known as Junior McDaid House (named after the late IRA volunteer James ‘Junior’ McDaid), is on Chamberlain Street and also houses the youth organisation Éistigi Doire as well as the dissident republican party Saoradh.
A police officer appeared in court to confirm that he could connect the defendant to the charges.
Barr’s charge sheet states that the first offence was committed on October 5 of this year when he caused or permitted the display of an ‘offensive poster’ at the office, situated at 14 Chamberlain Street.
The poster was said to contain ‘a graphic picture depicting a nude male with a gun and literature with reference to a deceased officer with intent to provoke a breach of peace or public disorder’.
On October 26 at the same address, Barr is alleged to have permitted the display of a snowman holding a military RPG weapon with the message: ‘Wishing you an Explosive Christmas’. His charge sheet once again states that this was done with intent to provoke a breach of the peace or public disorder.
The court was told that Barr denies the charges and a defence solicitor said the basis for the charges against Barr was a stop and search under the Justice and Security Act.
The case was adjourned to a court sitting on February 21.
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