A 21-year-old man accused of shouting racial abuse during disturbances in Portadown has been released on bail by a district judge.

Jamie Covington, of Ballybay Meadows, Portadown, appeared at Craigavon Magistrates Court on Friday charged with disorderly behaviour aggravated by racial hatred.

The charge relates to an incident in the early hours of Thursday, when police were maintaining a public order shield line amid ongoing unrest in the town. Officers observed Covington approach the line and shout a racist remark about immigrants, which was recorded on body-worn cameras. He was detained by the Tactical Support Group.

After his arrest, Covington collapsed outside Lurgan police station due to breathing difficulties and was taken to Craigavon Area Hospital. Police then decided not to hold him in custody overnight because of concerns about his medical condition. The court heard he has Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, a heart condition for which he underwent surgery in March, and is under the care of the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. He also has a bipolar diagnosis.

Covington's solicitor, Sinead Willox, said her client had never previously been before a court and had been engaged with youth workers. She applied for bail with strict conditions, noting that the charge was disorderly behaviour, not a more serious riot-related offence. His father told the court his son was completely overwhelmed by what he had done and described him as foolish.

District Judge Michael Ranaghan remarked that Covington had placed himself in a dangerous and reckless situation, particularly given his health. He granted bail of £300 with conditions, and told the defendant he was the first person in this jurisdiction alleged to be involved in the disorder to be released on bail. The judge also warned him to ignore social media messages encouraging him to return to the streets.

The case was adjourned until July 24.