A MAN charged with causing the deaths of two men in a two-car crash has been banned from entering a Co Antrim town because "community tensions are high", a court was told yesterday.
Shane Kinney, of Drones Road in Armoy, Co Antrim, faces a number of charges relating to a crash on the Cushendall Road, Ballycastle, in the early hours of April 6 when Johnny Black (19) from Ballycastle and Robin Wilson (26) from Armoy, died.
Mr Kinney appeared at Coleraine Magistrates Court yesterday charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving; seven charges of causing grievous bodily injury by dangerous driving; perverting the course of justice and a number of other offences.
Johnny Black (19) and Robin Wilson (26) died as a result of the crash.
A police officer told the court that a fatal road traffic collision had been reported in the early hours of 6 April, and two cars were found at the scene.
Robin Wilson had been travelling in one vehicle while the other contained Johnny Black.
Seven people were also injured.
The court heard that investigations led police to believe a third vehicle, belonging to Mr Kinney, was involved.
No damage was found to his car when he presented himself to police two days later. But officers believed car parts were stolen in a scrap yard in Armoy and were fitted to the vehicle.
Police objected to bail because they said "community tension" was high in Ballycastle after the deaths and injuries caused in the incident.
A defence solicitor said the case against Mr Kinney was based on "innuendo and assumptions".
The judge, who adjourned the case until July 27, released Mr Kinney on bail of £1,000 along with a surety of £5,000.
He was also banned from entering Ballycastle and ordered him to surrender his passport and driving licence.
