Bail for man on Clounagh Orange hall arson charge

Accused ‘showed no remorse’

A man alleged to have attempted to set fire to Clounagh Orange hall 'showed no remorse, a police officer told Craigavon Magistrates Court on Friday.

The police officer was giving evidence when the Crown opposed a bail application for Gareth Breen, (24), of Ballyoran Park, Portadown.

Breen, who appeared via video link from Meghaberry Prison, is charged with attempting to set fire to Clounagh Orange Hall on February 15, with trespass, and destroying two wooden boxes of an arch belonging to the Clounagh Orange Hall.

The police officer, the investigating officer in the case, said it is alleged Breen had been at the Orange Hall before the alleged arson attack to see what material he wanted to bring.

"He told me he had a problem with the Protestant community," said the officer.

The police officer said they opposed the bail application 'because he lives quite close to the Orange Hall', and she said police were concerned for Breen's safety.

Defending solicitor, Mr John McAtamney told the court that a psychiatric medical examination showed that Breen had no mental health problems.

"The report gives him a clean psychiatric bill of health," he said,

Evidence

Mr McAtamney stressed that Breen has a clear record. Responding to the police officer's evidence about the accused having a problem with the Protestant and loyalist community, Mr McAtamney said the accused's car had been attacked when Breen and his girlfriend, a Protestant, had been in it.

Mr McAtamney submitted there was nothing to suggest Breen would re-offend, and he said the three months Breen had spent in custody since February had a salutary effect.

He also refuted the police officer's evidence that Breen lives close to the Orange Hail. He said the accused's home at Ballyoran Park is one-and-a-half to two miles from Clounagh Orange Hall.

Mr McAtamney said no one had been in the Orange Hall at the time of the incident.

He said if bail were granted. Breen would be living in Ballyoran Park, which he said was a nationalist area, and there would be no reason for him to come in contact with any members of the Protestant or loyalist community.

Resident Magistrate Mrs Boneta Boyd granted Breen bail of £500, and a surety of £500, She ordered that he live at the Ballyoran Park address, and made it a condition of bail that Breen should not go within a mile of Orange halls.

Mrs Boyd also made it a further condition that the accused should not interfere with witnesses, and should report once a week to the police.

He was then remanded on bail to Craigavon Magistrates Court on June 13th 2008. 23rd May 2008 Portadown Times

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