Judge Describes Man Convicted of Abusive Posts Against Mayor as ‘Racist’

A judicial official has characterized an individual, convicted of sending offensive 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 misusing the communications network in May by publishing online messages concerning Lilian Seenoi-Barr, who holds the position of mayor for Derry and Strabane. McIntyre, who denied the allegations, was convicted after a contested hearing took place on Tuesday at Londonderry Magistrates’ Court. District Judge Barney McElholm described the messages as “filthy, threatening, abusive language” which were “clearly in breach of the communications legislation”. McIntyre’s sentencing is set for 14 February next year. Under cross-examination, he denied having an issue with the mayor, her ethnicity, or the fact that she is a woman. However, District Judge McElholm stated that the contest had been “a complete waste of the court’s time”.