Seventy could face prosecution over illegal republican parade

At Craigavon Magistrates Court, a prosecuting lawyer told District Judge Bernie Kelly that “there are upwards of 70 files that have been received or are due to be received into the department relating to this matter”.

The revelation came after the case against two men from the Republic of Ireland was mentioned.

Kevin Kavanagh (67) from Carleys Bridge in Enniscorthy and Seamus Raymond Byrne (51), The Orchard, Ardee are both charged with taking part in an un-notified public procession on 28 May this year.

The men were amongst several people arrested following a parade by Republican Sinn Fein in Lurgan’s Kilwilkie estate and the official opening of a memorial garden to 1916.

While Kavanagh appeared in court on Wednesday, Byrne had been excused from attending so did not hear that his case might be heard in Belfast.

The PPS lawyer told Judge Kelly that given the amount of files “a decision will have to be taken” whether the defendants and potential defendants are processed “centrally in Belfast or in the regions”.

He added however that a decision ought to have been taken by the time the cases are next before the court.

Releasing Kavanagh on continuing bail and ordering that Byrne attends court for the next hearing, Judge Kelly adjourned the case to August 31.