Belfast man in court over dissident rocket attack on police officers in Fermanagh
A Belfast man appeared in court today charged with attempting to murder police officers in a rocket attack nearly 18 years ago.
Terry McConnell, 42, was ordered to stand trial for alleged involvement in the bid to kill members of the PSNI in Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh.
Officers on foot patrol in the Main Street area of the town escaped injury after a rocket-propelled grenade failed to explode on August 16, 2008.
At the time the attack was blamed on dissident republican terrorists.
McConnell, of Belmore Way in Belfast, appeared in the dock at the city’s Magistrates Court charged with attempting to murder PSNI officers.
He faces a further count of possessing explosives - namely a projected improvised grenade - with intent to endanger life.
During a preliminary enquiry hearing the defendant’s name was formally changed to the Irish spelling of Tarlach Mac Dhonaill.
He confirmed that he understood the charges but declined to give evidence at this stage in the proceedings.
No further details about the alleged circumstances surrounding the attack were disclosed.
District Judge Natasha Fitzsimons back prosecution submissions that the accused has a prima facie case to answer and returned him for trial at the Crown Court on a date to be fixed.
He was released on continuing bail but ordered not to make contact with any witnesses.