Judgement reserved in illegal Easter parade case
Masked men in paramilitary-style uniforms take part in the illegal parade in 2023
- Published
Judgement has been reserved in the trial of four men on charges linked to an illegal dissident republican Easter commemoration in Londonderry more than two years ago.
Three of the defendants are from Derry: Thomas Ashe Mellon, 49, of Glendermott Road; Jason Lee Ceulemans, 53, of Creevagh Heights and Patrick Anthony Gallagher, 33, of Raftery Close.
The trio, along with Stephen Martin Murney, 42, of Derrybeg Terrace in Newry, County Down, deny involvement in a meeting in support of the IRA, on dates between February and April 2023.
They further deny addressing a meeting for the purpose of encouraging support for the IRA.
Thomas Ashe-Mellon pictured on the opening day of the trial
Jason Ceulemans is one of four defendants who deny the charges against them
Patrick Gallagher is the third defendant from Derry
After the conclusion of the prosecution case at Belfast Crown Court on Wednesday, the trial judge rejected a defence application to have the case thrown out.
Stephen Murney, the only defendant who is not from Derry, also denies the charges against him
The judge said he would give a detailed written judgement in the new year after hearing that the four men would not be giving evidence.