Pair refused bail over risk of 'ongoing gang related violence'

Two men have been refused bail on charges relating to recent disorder in Dungannon after a judge said there was a risk of "ongoing gang-related violence".

Januario Soares, 35, and Guilherme Gamma Mau, 32, both appeared at Dungannon Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. The pair had been arrested on Monday in Killyman Road.

A police officer told the court that it was reported that 10 people were in Courthouse Villas causing criminal damage with knives and other weapons.

The court heard that police found a ground floor property which had a door removed by having the hinges broken and there was a smashed upstairs window.

An occupant told police there had been a crowd of 10 men outside the property that had caused the damage, before making off towards Northlands Village.

Officers went to the area and, the court was told, found two men fighting with another on the ground hitting him on the head using "clenched fists".

The three men were arrested, including the alleged victim, who had sustained facial injuries.

He declined to provide a statement.

Due to fear of further offending police objected to bail for the pair. They also cited a fear of possible interference with witnesses.

Police added that "tensions in the area are high".

An email sent by a PSNI Insp Jeffers showed that the local community had "angrily expressed concerns" about the incident, the court heard.

A video on social media showing a resident, angry about what had been happening, received 4,000 views and 120 comments – mostly scrutinising alleged East Timorese gang violence.

Insp Jeffers said the community in Eastvale were currently not engaging with the police following a number of incidents.

The court heard the most recent was the banner on the Moygashel bonfire, but that local officers were engaging with the East Timorese community and were not sure if this was having an impact.

In a statement the Consulate General of Timor-Leste said the incident was "deeply disturbing and completely unacceptable" and "it has created a frightening environment, causing significant emotional distress for the local and wider community - particularly for vulnerable people".

After the incident about 15 people attended a vigil outside the police station opposing gang violence in support of the injured man.

The officer told the court said that while it was not his area of expertise he said his understanding was that in East Timorese culture gangs can play a part and that they can be "problematic with an element of honour" in the groups.

The defence solicitor for Mau stressed his client had no marks on his hands indicative of inflicting assault, reinforcing that he was trying to break up a fight.

He also pointed out three people were arrested out of a suspected group of 10 and one has been released on bail, which should follow for the defendants.

He also rejected safety being an issue as the court had agreed to withhold the defendants' addresses.

However the judge refused the bail application on the basis that "police observed these two men inflicting violence on another male who was on the ground".

He added there is a clear risk of "ongoing gang related violence".

Both men are due to appear by video link on 12 August.