Teens who may have used Facebook for Belfast rioting banned from social media

6 Sep 2012

Two teenagers have been banned from using social media after a Belfast Youth Court heard claims suspects had made plans through social network Facebook to take part in this week’s rioting in north Belfast.

The Belfast Telegraph reported today that three men and two boys, ages 15 and 17, were in court to face charges over rioting on Monday night.

The boys, neither of whom can be named, have been granted bail, banned from using social media, and from going within 500m of the north Belfast area of Carlisle Circus.

The three men – Robert Douglas (19), Lee Patrick McCartan, (18), and David Irwin (20) of Belfast – all appeared at Belfast Magistrate’s Court, charged with riotous assembly.

Douglas and McCartan face other charges. Neither one of them sought bail and all three men have been remanded in custody.

Tina Costanza was a journalist and sub-editor at Silicon Republic

editorial@siliconrepublic.com