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Ardoyne: John Aughey rilasciato con la condizionale

Driver bailed over Ardoyne attempted murder

Arresto di John Aughey, Ardoyne

A man has appeared in court charged with two counts of attempted murder after a crash in north Belfast which saw a teenage girl become trapped under a car.

Two pedestrians – a woman and a 16-year-old girl – were struck by the vehicle in Ardoyne on Monday during a protest by nationalist residents against a contentious Twelfth of July parade.

Police in riot gear had to lift the car off teenager Phoebe Clawson and administer first aid. She suffered a broken collar bone, broken ankle and shattered pelvis.

The driver was arrested at the scene and, on Wednesday, appeared before Belfast Magistrates’ Court.

Orangeman John Aughey, 61 and from Brae Hill Park in Ballysillan, spoke only to confirm that he understood the charges against him.

A detective sergeant told the court that the accused was a prominent figure who regularly attended the loyalist protest camp at Twaddell.

Outlining police objections to bail, the officer said there were fears that Aughey’s release could spark “widespread serious disorder” in Belfast.

Concerns were expressed over potential safety risks for officers, the public, and Aughey himself.

Aughey’s solicitor said that his client “profoundly regretted” what had happened.

However, the solicitor also questioned the nature of the charges and claimed that the alleged offences were of a dangerous driving nature and not attempted murder.

He told District Judge Fiona Bagnall that it was “highly unlikely these offences will remain as the offences charges before the court” as his client was initially arrested on a less serious charge of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily injury.

The solicitor further claimed that his client was a “law-abiding citizen” whose last appearance in court was over three decades ago for a defective tyre.

He also spoke of his client’s age, his ill health and ongoing treatment for cancer, and his wife’s ill health.

Judge Bagnall agreed to release Aughey under strict bail conditions.

The conditions include banning the accused from entering north Belfast, preventing him from going within 500 metres of a procession, protest or parade, and banning him from driving.

Aughey is due back in court in four weeks’ time.

Phoebe Clawson investita ad Ardoyne

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René Querin

Di professione grafico e web designer, sono appassionato di trekking e innamorato dell'Irlanda e della sua storia. Insieme ad Andrea Varacalli ho creato e gestisco Les Enfants Terribles.

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