Derry man fights Facebook case
A 31-year-old man from Londonderry has vowed to fight a charge that he used Facebook to make threatening comments against DUP MP Gregory Campbell, in a case believed to be a UK first.
Daryl O’Donnell posted comments on the social networking site last June about Mr Campbell’s critical reaction to the findings of the £200m Saville Inquiry into Bloody Sunday.
But he is denying accusations the messages were menacing or threatening and says he will fight the charge against him on the grounds of freedom of speech.
The father-of-two, from Belvedere Park in the Foyle Springs area, is charged under the Communications Act with improper use of public electronics communications.
“I was one of 1,600 people on that page and I’m the only one that’s being taken to court, and there’s been a lot worse comments than what I said on that page,” Mr O’Donnell told UTV.
At the time, Mr Campbell said some of the messages were vile, vicious and threatening.
But Mr O’Donnell added: “They were not menacing or threatening – they were more or less throw-away comments. Everybody has the right to voice their opinion. It’s about freedom of speech.”
The accused arrived at Bishop Street courthouse on Wednesday, flanked by supporters. He appeared before a magistrate for a brief hearing in which the charge was put to him for the first time.
Mr O’Donnell’s solicitor, Mr Padraig MacDermott, said the case raises a number of serious legal issues.
It has been adjourned until next month.
