Northern Ireland

Petrol bombs thrown at police during Derry rioting were 'devices in their crudest form'

John Paul Moore (23) of Carleton Court in Derry is facing a series of charges relating to riots over several days last summer
John Paul Moore (23) of Carleton Court in Derry is facing a series of charges relating to riots over several days last summer John Paul Moore (23) of Carleton Court in Derry is facing a series of charges relating to riots over several days last summer

PETROL bombs thrown at police during rioting in Derry last July were "devices in their crudest form", a district judge has been told.

John Paul Moore (23) of Carleton Court in the city appeared at Derry Magistrates Court facing a series of charges relating to riots over several days last summer.

He is charged with possessing explosives with intent to endanger life on July 13 as well as making, possessing and throwing petrol bombs on the same date and a further charge of riotous behaviour.

Defence solicitor Ciaran Shiels told the court the devices thrown at police were not blast bombs but aerosols with firework attached, adding "this is the first time we have even been told there was an explosion".

The solicitor said it appeared the aerosols did not explode.

The court heard prosecution are still waiting for forensic reports from the scenes of the explosions which are necessary to determine "whether they can proceed with explosive charges" and if the explosives were improvised explosive devices.

District Judge Barney McElholm adjourned the case until March 14.