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| Man in court over attempted murder of police officer | Man in court over attempted murder of police officer |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A man has appeared in court charged with attempting to murder a police officer in north Belfast on 12 July. | A man has appeared in court charged with attempting to murder a police officer in north Belfast on 12 July. |
| Mark Jason Blaney, 30, from Alliance Close, is accused of attacking an officer with a sword during a riot on the Woodvale Road. | Mark Jason Blaney, 30, from Alliance Close, is accused of attacking an officer with a sword during a riot on the Woodvale Road. |
| He is also charged with having an offensive weapon and riotous behaviour. | He is also charged with having an offensive weapon and riotous behaviour. |
| Bail was refused and the accused will appear in court again on 5 September. | Bail was refused and the accused will appear in court again on 5 September. |
| Belfast Magistrates' Court heard that when police put the charges to him, the accused said: "I didn't intend to harm anybody. I'm sorry. I apologise." | |
| The prosecution said the accused had admitted receiving a text message arranging a meeting where swords and flags were handed out. | The prosecution said the accused had admitted receiving a text message arranging a meeting where swords and flags were handed out. |
| But a defence lawyer said this text message just referred to a meeting of an Orange lodge. | But a defence lawyer said this text message just referred to a meeting of an Orange lodge. |
| The police objected to bail because they said there was a risk he would commit more offences. | The police objected to bail because they said there was a risk he would commit more offences. |
| Mr Blaney's solicitor said the accused was "under no illusions about the consequences of his actions", but pointed out that the accused had a full-time job and three young children, and argued that the court could manage the risk of re-offending. | |
| The district judge said that, given the context of the allegations and that there were more contentious parades to come, she was refusing bail. | The district judge said that, given the context of the allegations and that there were more contentious parades to come, she was refusing bail. |