Man accused over Stewartstown Road rioting to be released on bail, judge rules

Based on his mother’s assurances, Mr Justice McAlinden granted bail in what he described as an exceptional case

A man charged with rioting amid serious disorder in west Belfast is to be released on bail, a High Court judge ruled on Thursday.

Daniel McManus, 27, is accused of taking part in the unrest which erupted in the Stewartstown Road area on July 18 this year.

A police officer was injured and several PSNI vehicles were damaged as a crowd of up to 100 people gathered in the street.

Bins were also set on fire during an operation linked to the reckless riding of scrambler motorbikes in the neighbourhood.

McManus, of Springbank Drive in Dunmurry, faces charges of riotous assembly, obstruction of a road, assault on police, indecent and disorderly behaviour.

He is also being prosecuted over separate allegations of driving while unfit, criminal damage and driving while disqualified in connection with an incident at Bradbury Place in the city a week earlier.

Opposing bail, Crown counsel confirmed the unrest in west Belfast related to vehicle activity in the area.

She highlighted the widespread publicity around the disorder, adding that tensions remained high.

The court heard McManus has accepted some of the alleged behaviour but denies the rioting charge.

“He broadly made admissions during interviews and gave an account of being on a binge,” the prosecutor said.

Defence counsel Peter Coiley confirmed McManus disputes playing a central role in the unrest.

Acknowledging his client’s issues with drugs, Mr Coiley argued that if released he could cut himself off from any potential distractions.

McManus’ mother also pledged to seek police help if she thought her son was going “off the rails”.

Based on her assurances, Mr Justice McAlinden granted bail in what he described as an exceptional case.

“I am minded that this was a significant public disorder situation (and) acutely aware of the difficulties that police encountered,” the judge said.

“But I think there is a way forward, a package that has some chance of addressing what is the underlying blight on this man’s life, substance abuse.”

McManus was ordered to live under curfew, wear a monitoring tag and banned from being in the front seat of any car.

Mr Justice McAlinden further directed: “He is not to engage in any public demonstrations.”

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