Two men fined for anti-Catholic postings on Facebook

Two men in Northern Ireland have been fined for posting anti-Catholic messages on Facebook.

Matthew McKenna, 20, and Dean Boyd, 21, whose partner and child are Catholics, threatened to “kill all taigs [Catholics]” and wrote other religious abuse during the height of the loyalist marching season in Co Antrim last summer.

It was reported to police by Sinn Féin Northern Ireland Assembly member Daithí McKay, who was named by McKenna in one post and who told officers he feared for his family’s safety.

Coleraine Magistrates’ Court district judge Richard Wilson said they were stupid and rabble-rousing remarks.

“It is comments like this that excite and exacerbate any tensions within this community and we can well do without it,” he said.

This is believed to be one of the first cases of its kind in the North where a social networking offence led to prosecution. There have been several in Britain.

Both accused pleaded guilty to sending a message that was grossly offensive or indecent.

Boyd logged onto the social networking site on his 21st birthday on August 25 last year.

The unemployed father-of-one from Skye Park, Ballymena, posted: “Kill all taigs” and “fuck the Pope”, a prosecutor told the court.

A lawyer for the defendant, who expressed remorse in court, said he had removed the offending post within 20 minutes. His solicitor said it was his birthday and he had taken drink.

There were a number of messages being passed and other people’s comments were “much more serious”, the lawyer said.

He said Boyd had nothing to do with the other individuals posting messages.

McKenna, 20, a factory worker from Lisnahilt Road, Broughshane, Co Antrim, also appeared in court yesterday.

A prosecution lawyer said he made a comment which named Mr McKay.

McKenna also said: “Let’s show the scum in Rasharkin how it is done.

“God save the Queen. For God and Ulster, kill all taigs. Lest we forget.”

His lawyer said he did not realise the comments were public.

The magistrate condemned the abuse.

“These stupid, rabble-rousing sentiments are better left unsaid and your mouth zipped,” he told McKenna.