A man who posted abusive messages about the Mayor of Derry and Strabane has been described by a judge as “a right wing, racist conspiracy theorist.”
Kevin Barry McIntyre (31) of Miller Street in Derry was charged with two counts of abuse of the communication network of May 2 and May 4.
At a contested hearing at Derry Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday the defendant gave evidence on his own behalf.
He told the court he was “entitled to express my opinions” and said the posts were for “education and entertainment”,
Under cross examination the defendant denied having an issue with the Mayor, Lilian Seenoi-Barr, denied having an issue with her colour or the fact she was a woman.
He defended his post stating the mayor was ‘close to death’ by stating that she had lived over halfway of her life span.
District Judge Barney McElholm said the posts were “filthy, threatening, abusive language” and were clearly in breach of the communications legislation.
Finding McIntyre guilty on both counts he said that the contest had been “a complete waste of the court’s time,”
McIntyre will be sentenced on February 14 after a pre-sentence report is prepared.