Police officers accused of warning bars in advance of Covid regulations checks on their premises

The policemen appeared in court for a preliminary inquiry into allegations of alerting licenses at three pubs in the city’s Shankill area during the coronavirus pandemic.

Neither officer can be named because of interim reporting restrictions imposed to protect their identities.

Both constables face three counts of misconduct in a public office over a period between December 2021 and March 2022.

Licensees of the Royal Bar, the Diamond Jubilee and Bar Berlin were allegedly forewarned about police inspections to establish if the premises were complying with emergency public health regulations in force at the time, according to the charges.

Restrictions had been put in place on the number of people sharing restaurant and pub facilities as part of social distancing efforts to tackle a surge in the number of Covid cases.

Police officers then carried out checks to ensure the rules were being followed. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing or criminal activity by the owners of the three pubs.

One of the defendants is further accused of unlawfully obtaining personal data, namely contained on PSNI computer records.

Appearing together in the dock at Belfast Magistrates’ Court, both officers confirmed they understood the charges.

They declined to give evidence or call any witnesses, and no further details about the alleged circumstances were disclosed during the brief hearing.

District Judge Anne Marshall backed prosecution submissions that the defendants each have a prima facie case to answer.

She told the two accused: “You will both be returned to Belfast Crown Court on a date to be fixed, your solicitor or barrister will let you know that in due course.”

A defence lawyer disclosed that medical information has been obtained and sought to have their anonymity maintained.

Releasing both defendants on continuing bail, Judge Marshall ruled: “I will extend the interim reporting restrictions until further order.”