15/08/2025
⚖️ BALLYCASTLE MAN DENIES TRYING TO BREAK UP “LAWFUL” 12TH JULY PARADE.
A Ballycastle man who crossed the road in front of a flute band today (Fri) denied trying to break up a lawful procession.
Although Tagdh Daire Sands did not attend Coleraine Magistrates Court, papers lodged with the court charge the 44-year-old with two offences arising from an incident during a 12th July parade in Ballycastle two years ago.
Sands, from Leyland Farm in Ballycastle, is accused of endeavouring to break up a lawful parade at Market Street in the town and with common assault.
The details of the charge alleges that “for the purpose of preventing or hindering a lawful public procession or of annoying persons taking part in or endeavouring to take part in such a procession, hindered or molested or obstructed, or acted in a disorderly manner towards such persons or any of them or behaved offensively and abusively towards such person or any of them.”
The alleged facts of the case were not opened today (Fri) but at the time, videos circulated online of a man, wearing a GAA top, crossing Market Street in front of a colour party.
Reaching the other side, Sands can be seen turning around and appearing to step out in front of a man playing a flute in the Silver Plains band.
There is a brief delay in the parade as members of the band remonstrate with Sands before several police officers intervene and after the band reform, the parade continues after a 90 second delay.
In court today (Fri), defence counsel Nadine Knight initially asked for the case to be adjourned for two weeks “for attitude.”
A short time later, Miss Knight told Deputy District Judge Peter Prenter she had taken updated instructions so could now formally enter a not guilty plea to both charges.
Judge Prenter adjourned the case for two weeks to fix a date for the contest.
ENDS
Copy by Paul Higgins
Photo: Tagdh Sands when he allegedly walked in front of a flute band during a 12th July parade.
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