Downing Street ‘party’ mentioned at Covid breach hearing

THE now-infamous Christmas party alleged to have taken place in Downing Street last December was referenced in a Tyrone court on Friday, when a man was being prosecuted for breaching Covid regulations.

A solicitor said it was “outrageous” that a man was before Dungannon Magistrates Court for going into a house for a payment last December, when the Tories were ‘holding parties in Downing Street’ around the same time.

In response, District Judge Sean O’Hare observed, “The irony is not lost on me.”

Peadair O’Maoldomnaigh (33) was set to contest the charge, however it was adjourned until this Friday because a police officer, who is a witness, failed to appear.

O’Maoldomnaigh is accused of contravening a Coronavirus Health Protection Regulation on December 21 last year. The alleged breach of the regulation happened at a house in the Ballygawley area.

The solicitor explained that an employee of the accused and the man who owned the house were in court to give evidence on behalf of the defence.

However, despite being notified by the Public Prosecution Service (PPS), the PSNI officer was not present and there was no explanation for his absence.

Defence counsel explained that the house was being searched regarding separate legislation when the accused “literally arrived at the property with an employee.”

He added, “Mr O’Maoldomnaigh went out to recover a vehicle on the Ballygawley roundabout. In the police-worn camera footage, he laughs and says, ‘I just arrived here’. He went in to get a payment for delivering a vehicle. My client’s phone was then seized. He is an essential worker.

“People were not drinking or smoking in the house. It was not a party. He called to get a payment. It is literally outrageous my client is being prosecuted when the Tory government was having parties in Downing Street.”

Judge O’Hare stated that the PPS had not sent ‘invitations’ to witnesses to attend court ‘in the right manner’.

Adjourning the case until Friday, the judge said he wanted to hear why the PSNI constable was not in court when the contest was set to be heard.

He added, “If I am satisfied with the reason the case will proceed.”