Two young men have appeared in court charged with having petrol bombs intending to use them to do damage in Co Donegal.
Before Buncrana District Court was Darren Grant, 21 (pictured right) and Damian Carlin, 18 (pictured below) who were charged with having the devices at Figary, Fahan on July 20th last.
A juvenile, who cannot be named, also appeared before the court in relation to connected incidents but had his charges struck out.
Grant, of Park Mor, Buncrana and Carlin of Keelogs, Linsfort, Buncrana made no reply when charged under Section of the Criminal Justice Act.
Garda Inspector David Murphy said he was seeking a long adjournment to allow the State to investigate all matters.
“This is a long and detailed investigation,” he said.
However solicitor for Mr Grant, Paudge Dorrian, said his client has suffered because of previous reporting of the case.
“An allegation was made in the press that this man was guilty of arson. This is damaging to him and his family. He has no hope of getting a fair trial.
“People’s minds in the area have been polluted by wrongful allegations about this young man.
“Every newspaper that published allegations of arson have identified my client by implication.
“Now the State are seeking a long adjournment for some peculiar reason,” he said.
He added that there was now “selective prosecution” taking place.
Inspector Murphy said there was nothing peculiar about the case and rejected any claim of “selective prosecution.”
He also sought to have a curfew imposed on Mr Grant claiming he would be “concerned about his activities.”
However this was rejected by Judge Paul Kelly.
Judge Kelly adjourned the case until December 8th but later changed this to September 15th next at Letterkenny District Court.