Four residents of Londonderry have been found guilty of participating in an unauthorised pro-Palestine march held in the city on 14 February 2024. The convictions were handed down at Londonderry Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.
The defendants were Goretti Horgan, aged 70, from Westland Avenue; Davina Pulis, aged 36, from Knoxhill Park; Robert Paul Maxwell, aged 60, from Rathlin Drive; and Jude Coffey, aged 27, from Gartan Square.
Presiding over the case, District Judge Conor Heaney acknowledged that the march itself had been
peaceful and brief, yet ruled that all four had unlawfully participated in an unauthorised procession. The judge also recognised that the defendants had articulated
legitimate political viewsthrough their participation.
What were the penalties imposed?
Sentencing reflected both the nature of the offence and individual circumstances. Horgan, Pulis and Maxwell each received fines of £75. Coffey faced a steeper penalty of £150, a distinction the court attributed to his prior convictions for comparable offences.
What are the legal requirements for processions in Northern Ireland?
Under Northern Ireland law, those wishing to organise a parade or procession must submit formal notification to the Parades Commission at least 28 days in advance. The Parades Commission functions as the regulatory body responsible for assessing and adjudicating on contentious marches and processions across the region.
What happened to other defendants?
The case involved additional defendants whose matters were resolved through separate proceedings. Colum Eastwood, the former leader of the SDLP and Member of Parliament for Foyle, had his charge of attending an illegal pro-Palestine rally withdrawn after he agreed to accept a formal reprimand. Shaun Harkin, a councillor representing People Before Profit, was also charged in connection with the event but was subsequently discharged, with the court finding no case to answer against him.
Key Facts
- Four Londonderry residents convicted of participating in an unauthorised pro-Palestine procession on 14 February 2024
- The march was described by the judge as peaceful and brief, though ruled to be illegal under Northern Ireland law
- Fines ranged from £75 to £150, with higher penalties applied where prior convictions existed
- Northern Ireland law requires 28 days' advance notice to the Parades Commission before any parade or procession may be held
- Related charges against two other individuals were resolved separately, including one resulting in a formal reprimand and another in discharge
