Frazer bailed over flag offences
Prominent Loyalist campaigner Willie Frazer has been granted bail but banned by a High Court judge of going within two miles of any union flag protests.
On Thursday, a High Court judge agreed to release the 52-year-old, after being told he is suffering from incurable cancer.
Frazer is accused of encouraging offences when he made a speech in front of protestors at Donegall Square in Belfast on 19 January.
He is also facing charges of possession of a Taser, obstructing traffic in a public place and three counts of taking part in an unnotified procession.
Frazer told police he believed the stun-gun, which was found in a bedside locker during searches of his Markethill home, was a pig or cattle prod. He claimed he had taken it from a youth up to eight years ago.
Mr Justice Weir also banned Frazer from making public speeches or making comments on social media about the ongoing flag dispute.
When the judge asked if the Co Armagh man would keep to his word, Frazer replied: “A hundred per cent Your Honour.”
He appeared via video-link from Maghaberry Prison, while Unionist MLAs Jim Allister and Danny Kennedy stood with Frazer’s wife Ann in the public gallery.
Prosecution lawyer Adrian Higgins said although Frazer is not accused of violence, he said the former victims campaigner could be seen standing close to masked protestors who attacked police.
After he was arrested and charged, Frazer said: “I don’t recognise a Sinn Fein political police force.”
Later he claimed to be someone else who he said had committed the Kingsmill Massacre, before going on hunger strike for a brief period.
“He also stated that he would remain in custody for six months if need be in order to have the trumped-up charges tested in court,” Mr Higgins said.
The prosecution claim Frazer’s role as a spokesman for the Ulster People’s Form means he will continue to encourage other protestors.
Mr Higgins said: “Police believe that all too frequently what have started out as peaceful protests have descended into serious public disorder which has resulted in damage to property, injuries to members of the public and police, and significant financial loss to local businesses and to the economy of Northern Ireland as a whole.”
But speaking on Frazer’s behalf, Alan Kane QC said his client was not accused of organising any protests and he emphasised Frazer’s unblemished past.
“This is a man who has no criminal record, but he has, however, incurable cancer for which he is presently receiving ongoing treatment,” Mr Kane told the court.
Mr Kane also explained how Frazer had previously helped victims of terrorism before stepping down through ill health.
The court also heard how Frazer’s father, two uncles and two cousins were murdered by the IRA.
“He informs me that he lost six very close friends through terrorism,” Mr Kane said.
“It drove him to help people who have suffered in a similar way.”
