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Man behind posts about mayor is a 'racist', says judge

PA Media Shows Lilian Seenoi-Barr in a white dress wearing the mayoral chain and a colourful necklace and standing against the backdrop of the peace bridge.PA Media
Lilian Seenoi-Barr is the first black mayor in Northern Ireland

A judge has described a man who has been convicted of posting abusive messages about Northern Ireland's first black mayor as "a right wing, racist conspiracy theorist".

Kevin Barry McIntyre, 31, of Miller Street in Londonderry, was found guilty of two counts of abusing the communications network in May by writing online messages about Lilian Seenoi-Barr, who is mayor of Derry and Strabane.

McIntyre, who denied the charges, was convicted after a contested hearing on Tuesday at Londonderry Magistrates' Court.

District Judge Barney McElholm described the posts as "filthy, threatening, abusive language" which were "clearly in breach of the communications legislation".

McIntyre will be sentenced on 14 February next year.

Under cross-examination, he denied having an issue with the mayor, her colour or the fact she was a woman.

However, District Judge McElholm said the contest had been "a complete waste of the court's time".