Northern Ireland

Independent unionist councillor Henry Reilly accused of assault on police

Independent unionist councillor Henry Reilly
Independent unionist councillor Henry Reilly

AN independent councillor was yesterday accused of assaulting a police officer.

As well as being charged with two counts of assaulting the female officer on September 30 last year, 61-year-old Henry Reilly was also charged with resisting the constable, resisting a male constable and causing criminal damage to a police radio and ear piece on the same date.

Mr Reilly, from the Ballynahatten Road in Kilkeel and who sits in Newry and Mourne District Council as an independent councillor, did not attend Newry Magistrates Court where a prosecuting lawyer told the court that body cam footage had been served on the defence.

District Judge Eamon King adjourned the case for two weeks.

Although he now sits as an independent, Mr Reilly has previously served on the council as a member of the UUP, UKIP and the TUV.