Northern Ireland

Co Armagh man accused of attempting to target former policeman has bail varied to visit Lurgan

Damien Duffy arriving at a previous court hearing
Damien Duffy arriving at a previous court hearing

A Co Armagh man accused of attempting to target a former policeman has had his bail varied to allow him to visit family and friends in his home town of Lurgan.

Damien Daniel Duffy (49), originally from Campbell Walk in the town, is also to have his tagging device removed and his curfew time has been put back to 11pm.

However, he must still live at his bail address in Co Tyrone.

Belfast Crown Court Judge Geoffrey Miller accepted the arguments of a defence lawyer that any bail restrictions must be proportionate and necessary and not just desirable.

He said on balance it would be appropriate to remove the prohibition on Duffy entering Lurgan and for the removal of his monitoring device.

However, he added such a move may result in him being subjected to increased checking with regard to his curfew.

The prosecution had objected to the variations on the grounds of that the risk of further alleged offending was significant.

Duffy denies engaging in the preparation of acts of terrorism by deploying a wildlife camera, possessing the camera for a purpose connected with the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism, and attempting to collect information of the movements of a former PSNI officer, all between September 13 and 21 2016.

The accused, who is to go on trial in early September, had spent 17 months in custody following his arrest before finally being granted bail in March last year.