A MAN appeared at a special court in Craigavon yesterday charged with murdering two RUC, men in Lurgan. Mr Colin Francis Duffy (29) of Drumnamoe Gardens, Lurgan, is accused of murdering Const Roland John Graham and Reserve Const David Andrew Johnston on June 16th.
An RUC detective inspector told the court Mr Duffy had made a formal complaint over his having been charged in the absence of a solicitor.
The detective inspector stated that earlier in the afternoon he informed Mr Duffy of his identity and the nature of his inquiries. He said that when arrested, charged and cautioned, Mr Duffy denied both charges and objected to having been charged in the absence of a solicitor.
Replying to questions by defence counsel, Mr John Kearney, the detective inspector was asked if he could confirm whether or not the identification witness had made statements.
The witness replied: "I don't think that is an appropriate question."
It was correct, said the detective inspector, that Mr Duffy had objected to having been charged in the absence of a solicitor.
Mr Duffy was remanded in custody to appear at Lisburn Magistrates' Court sitting at the Maze prison on July 16th.
Later his solicitor, Mrs Rosemary Nelson, in a statement, said Mr Duffy denied being in Church, Walk in Lurgan when the two policemen were shot dead, and he was "horrified" at finding himself in court.