UDA leader loyalist Dee Stitt, head of 'homeland security' in North Down and four other men were yesterday accused of taking part in an illegal NI Protocol protest/parade (but which was it? (1) a parade or (2) a protest, both are not the same)
Dee Stitt unveils a mural for murdered UDA leader Tommy Herron alongside masked UDA members
Although none of the five defendants attended Newtownards Magistrates' Court, (wonder will the pound-shop lawyer Bryson be representing them) they were all charged with taking part in an unnotified parade on May 31st last year.
The five accused are: David Stitt (51), from Lord Wardens Court in Bangor; Mark Anderson (38), from Dunville Link in Hollywood; Lee Paul Kennedy (33), Upper Crescent in Comber; Louis Cowan (36), from Oakley Avenue in Hollywood; and Edward James Shaw (45), from Carrowdore Gardens in Bangor.
The charges arises following a protest/parade in the loyalist Kilcooley Estate in Bangor were dozens of protesters were lead on a parade by the North Down Defenders Flute Band, which Stitt, the alleged UDA leader in North Down, once described as "our homeland security".
In this instance, the charge allege that Stitt and others "took part in a public procession in respect of which the requirements of Section 6 of the public processions (NI) Act 1998 had not been satisfied".
Defence counsel Conan Rea confirmed that "the matter is to be contested" and, adjourning the case until July 26th, District Judge Mark Hamill said he wanted to know "if there are legal issues, the number of witnesses, and the estimated duration of this saga" before he fixes a date for contest.
With many thanks to the: Belfast Telegraph and Paul Higgins for the original publication.
Follow these links to find out more on this story: Watch the video of masked members of the UDA's North Down Defenders Flute Band taking part in an illegal Protocol protests/ protests
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