An anti-immigration protester named Bernard Lavery, 34, has been sentenced to three months in jail for his involvement in an illegal parade in Belfast where he was seen waving an Irish tricolour flag. Lavery, who hails from Farnham Street in Belfast, admitted to participating in the unnotified public procession that took place on August 3. According to his lawyer, Lavery attended the event in an “observational role” and attempted to prevent the ensuing disorder that led to serious rioting in the city streets.
During the rally, a portion of the crowd moved towards south Belfast, where there were reports of suspected racially-motivated attacks on business properties. However, there is no evidence to suggest that Lavery was involved in targeting any of these premises. Despite this, the prosecution stated that Lavery was seen at the front of the crowd, waving the Irish flag and directing it towards the crowd as they marched.
In his defense, Lavery’s solicitor, Paul Dougan, explained that his client was unaware that the parade was illegal as he had received information about it through social media and flyers distributed in his neighborhood. Dougan also mentioned that Lavery tried to de-escalate the situation as things began to spiral out of control during the event. He highlighted that Lavery garnered media attention due to his proximity to someone carrying a Union Jack flag, which attracted negative commentary in the press.
It is important to note that Lavery is currently serving a separate prison sentence for unrelated drug offenses. District Judge Amanda Henderson, in imposing the three-month sentence for Lavery’s participation in the unnotified procession, acknowledged that the incident had led to extreme disorder in the city, crossing the threshold for a custodial sentence.
The case serves as a reminder of the legal ramifications of participating in unauthorized public events and the potential consequences of such actions. It also underscores the importance of understanding the laws and regulations governing public gatherings to avoid inadvertently breaking the law. As individuals participate in protests and rallies, it is crucial to be mindful of the potential impact of their actions and to act responsibly to prevent disorder and violence in the community.
