A MURDER suspect who has been involved in nine separate incidents in a four-month period since being released on remand from a young offenders centre has been granted bail again.
Lee Smyth - who has been charged along with two other co-accused of murdering west Belfast man Christopher Meli in December 2015 - was warned that any further failure to comply with bail will result in a return to prison.
Smyth (21) made a fifth application for High Court bail, and despite objections from the Crown, he was re-released to reside at an address outside Belfast which cannot be reported.
The court heard that it is this address which has been the focal point of most of the nine incidents involving Smyth which have resulted in police involvement. The court also heard that since his return to custody following the incidents, Smyth was remanded to Maghaberry and not Hydebank YOC, where he was initially sent.
His barrister said Smyth has found his experience in the adult prison of Maghaberry to be "frightening, worrying and depressing".
Crown prosecutor Kate McKay said that since his last release on High Court bail in April, there had been numerous breaches which resulted in Smyth being back in custody.
The latest occurred when police called to his bail address and discovered he had broken the no alcohol condition.
Mrs McKay said other breaches were linked to his bail address. Smyth had breached curfew, been caught under the influence of drink, and had also been attacked.
Defence barrister Tom McCreanor said his client has already spent a significant period on remand. The barrister accepted there had been incidents at the address, but said this was largely down to "other people in the area who are prone to partying".
Revealing Smyth would "move tomorrow" from his bail address as he has no links to the area, Mr McCreanor said that if released, Smyth would adhere to any conditions imposed - including not letting anyone other than relatives into his flat.
Mr Justice Maguire granted bail and imposed conditions such as adhering to a curfew and banning him from drinking. The judge also said "entry to his flat, he must limit to members of his own family and no-one else."
