Two men from Co Down, named John Edward Robinson (30) and Corey McNabb (28), have been placed under arrest, with suspicion arising from their involvement in promoting arson and riots through posts on social media. Both men have appeared in separate appearances in Downpatrick Magistrates Court and have concurred that they comprehend the charges leveled against them.
Currently resident at Rathgill Park, Bangor, Mr Robinson is facing four allegations including igniting others to riot, circulating intimidatory and offensive messages, notably a threat to set fire to hotels, possessing fireworks without obtaining the necessary permission, and publicising written content aimed to “incite fear or provoke hatred”. These are claimed to have taken place during the week of 3rd of August to the 10th.
From Balmoral Avenue, Bangor, Mr McNabb stands accused of two separate offences of circulating intimidatory messages and stimulating others to carry out arson. These are alleged to have occurred between the dates of 3rd and 4th of August.
Detective McDonald from the PSNI has claimed a belief in probable connections between the Defendants and the charges they face, justifying police opposition to bail, due to concerns of repeated offences and potential meddling in the ongoing investigation.
An offensive social media comment under Mr Robinson’s post about immigration protests and property fires, included a reference to a positive outlook on hotel fires where immigrants are believed to be lodged. Further alarming messages were discovered in a Facebook Messenger conversation. These included comments tacitly encouraging violence linked to statements about hotels with immigrant lodgers and notes about Sandy Row shops on fire in Belfast.
The lawyer representing Mr Robinson, Mark Austin, submitted his client to have few followers, emphasizing his limited influence. His argument stressed a present-day reality of prevalent harmful communication through social media platforms.
In the original text, Mr Austin acknowledges his client’s struggles with alcohol. District Judge Amanda Brady chose to deny bail and postpone the case until the 4th of September. She was also informed by Detective McDonald that a sole comment, allegedly posted by Mr McNabb on Facebook, had encouraged individuals to set the Marine Court hotel in Bangor on fire, complete with a laughing emoji. The hotel is known to accommodate several migrants and has been the site of local protests against the migrants being housed there.
During a police interview, Mr McNabb accepted that he had been present at protests outside the hotel, even taking his young daughter with him. He confesses to posting the message but denies any intention of inciting anyone to burn the building. He vehemently denies showing a “disregard for life”, as heard in court. As the proceedings continued, Judge Brady decided to keep Mr McNabb in custody, refusing to grant bail, while adjourning his trial until the 4th of September.