LOYALIST MICHAEL Stone is preparing to appeal his conviction for the attempted murders of Sinn Féin leaders Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness.
Stone (53) was found guilty of trying to kill the top republicans during a lone assault on Parliament Buildings at Stormont in November 2006.
A trial judge rejected his claims that the attack was part of an elaborate piece of performance art.
But lawyers told Belfast’s Court of Appeal that a challenge to his conviction will be ready for hearing after the summer recess.
Stone, a loyalist icon now suffering from arthritis, had gone to Stormont armed with explosives, knives, an axe and a garrotte.
He was wrestled to the ground by two security guards after bursting through the main doors as Assembly members were gathered inside.
The attack was captured by film crews and photographers who were there to cover developments in the political process.
As well as the two attempted murder charges, he was convicted in November 2008 on seven other counts, including possession of nail bombs, three knives, a garrotte and an axe, as well as causing criminal damage to the Stormont building.
His trial was stalled after his lawyers withdrew, with new counsel subsequently appointed.
Appeal judges were told that transcripts from the first half of the Crown Court proceedings were now available for Stone’s legal team to study.