Co Armagh rioter claims he was intoxicated and ‘trying to act the big man’

By Rebecca Black, Press Association

A Co Armagh man has claimed he was intoxicated and “trying to act the big man” during rioting in Portadown in June.

There was disorder in areas across Northern Ireland on June 10th after a graphic video clip emerged of a man being stabbed in north Belfast.

The disorder following the stabbing saw masked mobs set fire to homes, cars and a bus, with people targeted based on their race.

Foreign national healthcare workers were also subjected to threats and intimidation.

Adam Wright, 21, of Bridgeford Meadows in Portadown, has been charged with riotous assembly in the Mandeville Street area of the town on June 10th.

He appeared at Lisburn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday and indicated he understood the charge when read to him.

A police constable told the court she believed she could connect the accused to the charge.

She said the case is one of a number on the same date, describing “significant disorder” on the streets of Portadown on June 9th and 10th involving a large gathering of individuals.

The constable described foreign nationals living in the area as being in fear.

While rioting has stopped, she said there are messages and forums online “still trying to encourage further protests”.

“There were widespread incidents across Northern Ireland, including Belfast, Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus and Derry,” the constable told court.

“In relation to this particular incident, at approximately 7.30pm, the defendant was observed with two other males on CCTV on West Street, Portadown.

“Police then tracked the defendant’s movements and actions via retrieved CCTV footage.”

She said at 8.20pm the defendant was seen in a large group on Mandeville Street, and moving to the front, shouting and also moving a wheelie bin, believed to contain glass bottles.

“At 11.17pm, he’s then observed on police footage picking up objects and throwing them at police. At 11.24pm he’s observed on CCTV moving a large wheelie bin towards police lines which other participants take objects from and throw towards police.”

He said he was intoxicated and got carried away, and that he admits to throwing four or five bottles to 'act the big lad'

She said in July an image of the suspect was one of a number released to the public via social media, and the defendant called police and identified himself.

“He was then arrested at his home address yesterday (July 15th),” she said, adding clothing seen in the footage was seized.

“During interview the defendant admitted the offence of riot.”

She added that during police interview the defendant said his actions were “not motivated by hate”.

“He said he was intoxicated and got carried away, and that he admits to throwing four or five bottles to ‘act the big lad’. He admits he threw them in a general direction of police but it wasn’t his intention to hurt anyone.”

The constable said police objected to an application for bail, citing a “risk of further offending” given that he involved himself in the rioting for four hours and “how easily he was led”.

She said police disagreed with the defendant’s explanation of a “lapse of judgment”, saying instead it was a “conscious decision” to involve himself for so long.

“He had every opportunity to leave but he’s intentionally placed himself in this area and has been not only an active participant in the riot but he’s been encouraging others to riot, he was seen in the footage shouting and beckoning to other rioters who were leaving,” she said.

A defence solicitor said his client “apologised to police and expressed regret at his behaviour in relation to this incident”.

He said Wright works shifts with a local company, and when not working spends his spare time with his daughter.

“He told police in interview that he has no issues with any immigrants and was happy for them to come to Northern Ireland and contribute to society,” he said.

In terms of the riot he said he had attended “out of curiosity”.

“He had consumed alcohol and foolishly becomes involved in this, trying to act the big man in front of his friends,” he said.

“He didn’t try to conceal his identity, he contacted police to tell them it is him in the photograph … he wasn’t an organiser or a director and apologised for his behaviour”.

District Judge Fiona Bagnall said Wright was “prominent enough for the police to take an interest in him”, pointing out that not everyone who rioted is likely to come before the court.

She granted bail but said she was only happy to do so because the rioting has stopped, and with conditions including abiding by a 7am-7pm curfew and staying at an approved address outside of Portadown.

Wright is to appear again before court on August 28th.