Northern Ireland: Judge allows man suspected of 'punishment' gun attack to attend Madness concert

A man suspected of carrying out a so-called punishment attack in Northern Ireland during which a victim was repeatedly shot has had his bail conditions changed so he can go to a gig by music group Madness.

Patrick O'Neill, 41, was charged over his alleged involvement in the November 2010 gun attack in Ardoyne, north Belfast.

During the incident, at Brompton Park, an individual was shot up to seven times in the abdomen, groin and leg.

O'Neill, of no fixed abode, denies involvement but is due to stand trial later this year charged with possession of a Glock handgun with intent, and wounding with intent. He had been released on bail, which required him to observe a curfew from 8pm to 6am.

On Wednesday (10 August), O'Neill's defence barrister made an application requesting the conditions be relaxed to allow his client to attend a music gig by Madness next Saturday as part of the Belsonic music festival in Belfast.

Despite the seriousness of the charge, a Belfast Crown Court judge agreed to extend the curfew until midnight to allow him to go to the gig.

Bail had been opposed by prosecutors when he was charged in 2015 due to the perceived risk of re-offending or interference with the investigation. Instead a judge granted him bail but imposed a strict night-time curfew, electronic monitoring and ordered him to report to police daily.

O'Neill's barrister, Jonathan Brown, said on making the application that his client had so far adhered to all bail conditions imposed.