CLIFTONVILLE SILENT OVER FUTURE OF CHILD SEX PIX CHARGED JAY DONNELLY

Cliftonville striker Jay Donnelly on child sex picture charges

CLIFTONVILLE FC are keeping tight lipped over the future involvement of Jay Donnelly in the team’s matches on the pitch.

Donnelly’s case came before Belfast Magistrates’ Court yesterday for a first appearance.

But the Reds are refusing to comment on whether he will be suspended until his case is finally concluded in the courts.

The 22-year-old, from Ardilea Drive, in the Ardoyne district of north Belfast, did not appear for the short hearing in court 9.

The case was listed under his proper name of John Donnelly

According to the charge sheet, the first count reads that “on June 28, 2016, he took an indecent photograph of a child’’.

The second charge states that on “a date unknown between the 28th June 2016 and the 25th October 2016 he distributed or showed an indecent photograph of a child’’.

Both charges are being brought by the PSNI under Article 3 of the Protection of Children (NI) Order 1978.

No plea was entered on Donnelly’s behalf to the court.

During the brief hearing, a lawyer for Donnelly said he was asking for the prosecution to “particularise” the dates the offences are alleged to have taken place.

District Judge Amanda Henderson set a date of Wednesday, November 22 for a second hearing to be held into Donnelly’s case.

Cliftonville will host Ballinamallard United this Saturday, November 11, at Solitude in the Irish League.

At the weekend, the club, chaired by Gerard Lawlor, said it was unaware Donnelly had been formally charged with the two offences.

He played in last Saturday’s 3-0 win of Carrick at Solitude.

An internal investigation is now under way into Donnelly’s child sex picture charges.

In a statement, the Irish League side said at the weekend: “We have only become aware of the developments in this case.

“The club is currently investigating them and seeking advice on the matter.’’

Since then, no statement has been issued through the north Belfast club’s website about Donnelly’s future with the Reds ahead of this weekend’s home fixture.

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