A Co Down man faces life imprisonment after pleading guilty yesterday to the double murder of lifelong friends, Mr Philip Allen (34), a Protestant, and a Catholic, Mr Damien Trainor (25).
The victims died in a hail of bullets when loyalist gunmen burst into the Railway Bar in Poyntzpass, Co Armagh, on March 3rd last year as they discussed Mr Allen's forthcoming wedding.
One of three men accused of the murders, Ryan Thomas Robley (30), from Highfield Gardens, Banbridge, pleaded guilty.
His co-accused, Mr Stephen James McClean (30), of Hillside Park, Banbridge, and Mr Noel Joseph McCready (29), of Dickson Park, Banbridge, denied the charges when they appeared at Belfast Crown Court.
Robley also admitted the attempted murder of two others wounded in the shooting and possessing a 9mm pistol and a .38 revolver and ammunition.
Mr Charles Adair QC, defending, said Robley would like his case to be dealt with as soon as possible, adding that, since murder carried a mandatory sentence of life, he could be sentenced before the trial of his two co-accused.
A date has yet to be fixed for their trial, although it is not expected to take place before next October, at the end of which Robley could normally expect to be sentenced.
Lord Justice McCollum said he would not like to make a decision on when Robley would be jailed for life.
The judge indicated he could be sentenced before the end of the month if adequate arrangements were made.
All three were remanded back into custody.