A bench warrant has been issued for the arrest of a Loughmacrory man who has failed to turn up at the magistrate's court on a number of occasions.

Last month Connor Harte (22) of Ballybrack Road was warned by the magistrate he would be put into custody if he failed to turn up for court again. He was then remanded on his own bail of £1,000 and a surety of £500 to return to court this week. Harte's solicitor told the court he now wishes to be taken off the case.

Harte was due to face charges of disorderly behaviour and resisting a police constable on June 6 last year and a month later driving a Seat Inca van without insurance.