Co Antrim man charged with making threatening social media posts against DUP MLA
A Co Antrim man charged with making a series of threatening social media posts against an MLA claimed they were just “political opponents”, the High Court has heard.
Andrew Moran, 30, allegedly issued menacing Facebook comments which left Democratic Unionist Party representative Trevor Clarke fearing he could be attacked.
Moran, of Grange Lane in Newtownabbey, denies counts of improper use of a public electronic communications network, threatening or abusive behaviour, harassment and intimidation of a witness.
He was released on bail but banned from making any contact with Mr Clarke.
The South Antrim MLA received the first messages on March 27 this year after announcing on Facebook that he was holding a constituency surgery in the Mallusk area.
Sent from an account in the name of Andrew Thomas Moran, one of the responses warned: “F*** away back off to Randalstown, or you’ll be getting smashed to bits.”
Prosecutors claimed the defendant also posted: “Should have had your arms and legs broken years ago, how you are still sneaking about is beyond me.”
A further message said to have been directed at the politician stated: “The Orangemen don’t want you.”
Mr Clarke received a number of YouTube links from the same account, the court heard, including footage of one man physically assaulting another.
“There was another video showing rats in a rat trap,” Crown counsel revealed. “Mr Clarke said he was intimidated by those videos and it caused him anxiety that (Moran) would attend the surgery to attack him.”
Despite those concerns he went ahead with the event, which the defendant did not attend.
But after the online content was reported to police, the MLA received further abusive Facebook contact from the same account two days later.
One of those messages stated: “Out to f***, you touting rat.”
Moran was eventually located and arrested on April 1 after an ex-partner reported an alleged breach of a restraining order.
During questioning he denied knowing anything about the Facebook account or directing messages at the politician.
“He described Mr Clarke as a political opponent only, and that he’s never had any personal issues with him,” the prosecutor added.
“He stated he doesn’t own a mobile phone or computer, he doesn’t have Facebook or just flatly denied those posts were from him.”
The judge, Madam Justice McBride, asked if Moran is involved in politics or a member of any political party .
Turlough Madden, defending, disclosed that his client stood as an independent candidate in an unspecified election a number of years ago.
“He would be involved in local community initiatives, and Mr Clarke would be known to him,” the barrister added.
Expressing concern about the general abuse directed at public representatives, Madam Justice McBride described them as “easy targets” in potentially vulnerable situations while holding surgeries.
“There is legitimate criticism of MPs and MLAs and councillors, but if this is (proven) it would be just harassment, intimidation, abuse and cannot be tolerated,” the judge said.
It was stressed, however, that she was not determining guilt or innocence.
Granting bail to Moran under strict conditions, Madam Justice McBride ordered: “He is to have no contact with Mr Clarke, and he is not to make any posts on any social media outlet in respect of Mr Clarke.” ends