A Kilkeel loyalist band member has been charged with stealing and destroying Sinn Féin council election posters.
Chris Wilson (22), of Ballymegeogh Road, is charged with theft, going equipped for theft and criminal damage on March 30.
The defendant appeared in Newry Magistrates Court today.
Wilson is alleged to have been found equipped with gloves and a ladder to scale poles in the area adorned with republican candidate posters for the local authority elections.
Details were not brought forward in open court, but it is understood that the Rising Sons of the Valley Flute Band drummer is accused of stealing and destroying posters promoting south Down Sinn Féin candidates for the recent Newry, Mourne and Down District Council elections.
District judge Eamonn King released Wilson on £250 bail with the conditions that he resides at an agreed address and presents himself at the door for PSNI checks during curfew hours of 11pm and 5.40am.