Racist Accused Gets City Ban
A 21-year-old man accused of intimidating Romanians living in south Belfast has been banned from the area.
The High Court has imposed a exclusion zone order on Shane Murphy, who faces charges relating to activity that forced scores of foreign families to leave their homes.
He is accused of using threats or menaces against Romanians living at a house on Belgravia Avenue.
Mr Murphy, from the Donegall Road, was also allegedly involved in disruption at an anti-racism rally in the area.
Two teenagers have also been charged with causing trouble at the event.
Police did not oppose Mr Murphy’s bail application, granted a suitable, alternative address was found.
Crown Counsel Conor Maguire told the court the concern was to have the accused removed from an area around the city’s Lisburn Road.
Mr Murphy has also been ordered not to approach witnesses.
“That was the reason for seeking an exclusion from that area,” barrister Mr Maguire said.
Granting bail, Lord Justice Girvan directed the accused to live with a foster aunt at an address in Jordanstown in Co Antrim.
The judge agreed to prohibit any contact with witnesses.
