Alleged stalker accused over 'obsessive' social media campaign against a woman is given bail again

Daniel Devlin, 41, faces charges connected to a series of tweets about her over a five-month period.

Granting bail, Mr Justice Kinney banned him from contacting the complainant or making any further reference to her online.

“It’s a last chance, if he breaches this he’s going back into custody,” the judge warned.

Devlin, of Stewartstown Road in the Dunmurry area of Belfast, is accused of stalking, harassment and improper use of a public communications network.

In May this year the woman, who cannot be identified, informed police she had received unwanted contact from a Twitter account believed to be linked to the defendant.

Prosecution counsel Mark O’Connor said the postings involved calling her a number of obscenities.

Despite attempts to block the account, contact continued in the following months. Devlin also allegedly discovered where the woman worked and sent messages there.

Police arrested him last month, seizing a phone and iPad, before initially releasing him on bail. But Mr O’Connor claimed Devlin breached those terms by referring to the complainant again in further postings.

Opposing his bid to be freed again, the barrister submitted: “It is somewhat obsessive behaviour, involving repeated tweets and a fixation with her.”

Devlin has accepted sending messages and obtaining new devices, the court heard, but denies stalking or harassing the woman.

“He explained to police… that he wished to voice his theories so she could understand that he does not intend to put her in fear,” Mr O’Connor added.

A defence barrister argued there was nothing threatening in any of the messages, and that his client has made counter allegations about the complainant.

Under the strict terms of bail imposed, Devlin must wear a monitoring device and report to police.

Mr Justice Kinney also prohibited him from internet access or contacting the woman’s place of work.