A 37-year-old Co Antrim man accused of driving past a group of around 150 loyalist protestors at an interface, waving a tricolour and shouting 'Up The 'RA' has been released on bail.
Appearing at Belfast Magistrates Court yesterday via video link, Finatan Jude Geraghty from Ivy Hill, Lisburn, was banned from being within a mile of the north Belfast flashpoint.
The court heard that at around 8.30pm on Tuesday evening, while police were at a loyalist camp at Twaddell Avenue, a silver Alfa Romeo drove up Crumlin Road and, as it passed, the passenger - who Geraghty admitted was him - hung a "large Irish tricolour" out of the window.
A constable told the court he shouting 'Up The 'RA' in a "loud and clear manner... clearly heard by police and protestors" and prompting the loyalists to "surge forward" adding it was at a time of "significant tension."
Police tried to stop the car, but the court heard it was continued up the road at speed, with the flag discarded in Ligoniel and a police helicopter later observing the vehicle being driven erratically.
When arrested on a charge of doing the provocative act, Geraghty said: "What do you mean provocative act? There are hundreds of flags on the other side."
He denied shouting 'Up The 'RA', claiming that it was someone else in the car and insisting he was not sectarian, and had been at the interface to try and keep the area calm.
Defence solictor Niall O'Neill said "three days in custody have had a suitably chastening affect" on Geraghty, who wanted to get home to his son and partner.
He said his client was remorseful and would abide by any bail conditions, also noting tensions at the notorious flashpoint had "dissipated."
Deputy district judge Austin Kennedy said Geraghty's actions were "nonsensical" and could have caused further tensions but he had "recognised the error of his ways" and set bail at £500, ordered him to report to police twice a week and observe a 9pm to 8am curfew.
The case will be heard again on August 14.
