THERE was a heavy police presence at Belfast Laganside Court complex as six loyalist bandsmen faced a court accused of breaching a Parades Commission determination.
Up to 40 police officers were tasked to the building after Belfast Daily revealed yesterday that loyalists were planning to converge en masse at the building.
One police officer filmed protestors as they filed into the building.
They came out in force to show their support to the Pride of the Ardoyne flute band members who up in court.
The accused, all from Belfast, are: James Cosby, 25, from Glenbryn Parade; Neil Jamison, 25, from Summer Street; David Johnstone, 23, from Westway Crescent; David John Murphy, 37, from Berwick Road; Robert Hayes Spence, 57, from Alliance Road; and Gary Edwin Wells, 24, of Loughview Close.
All six face charges of failing to comply with conditions imposed by the 1998 Public Processions Act by playing music between the junction of Twaddell Avenue and Woodvale Drive and the dispersal point at the junction of Twaddell Avenue and Crumlin Road during parades on a range of different dates between February and May.
It was their first appearance in court 9 of Belfast Magistrates Court after they all received summonses from the PSNI last month.
All six were represented in court by barrister Joel Lindsay instructed by Belfast-based Archer and Magee solicitors.
A number of prominent unionist and loyalist politicians were present in the building north Belfast DUP MP Nigel Dodds and PUP leader Billy Hutchinson.
District Judge Des Perry adjourned the case until December 18.
The six defendants were told they need not attend the hearing.
A contest hearing is expected to take place next year.
