Senior dissident republican Colin Duffy charged with IRA membership and conspiracy to murder

LEADING dissident republican Colin Duffy has faced a court on IRA membership and conspiracy to murder charges.

Two other men appeared at Belfast Magistrate’s Court along with him.

In court were Mr Duffy, 46, of Forest Lane, Lurgan, Henry Fitzsimons, 45, of no fixed abode, and 52-year-old Alex McCrory of Sliabh Dubh View, Belfast.

The latter two are charged with trying to murder members of the PSNI on Belfast’s Crumlin Road on 5 December.

All three are also charged with conspiracy to possess firearms and explosives with intent to endanger life, conspiring to murder and belonging to a proscribed organisation, namely the Irish Republican Army.

Mr McCrory and Mr Fitzsimons were both charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life on 5 December in Belfast.

None of the defendants applied for bail. All three were remanded in custody until 14 January.

In the attack on police on 5 December, two police vehicles were hit by gunfire from assault rifles.

Mr Duffy gave a thumbs up sign to supporters who cheered from the public gallery as the three men were led away.