Belfast death Man worked in British Army base
Mr Cupples died on Christmas Day, three days after being attacked and badly beaten in the North of the city. He was a Protestant from East Belfast and police say he may have been mistaken for a Catholic.
Darren Paul (20), unemployed, from Lyndhurstview Avenue in Ballygomartin, and Brian Dickson (20), a postal worker from Azamor Street in the Shankill area, were also accused of withholding information about the attempted murder of leading Loyalist John Gregg ten days ago.
The charge relating to the murder of Mr Cupples alleged the defendants attempted to obtain and dispose of video evidence, with intent to prevent the arrest of the killers.
Mr Cupples was attacked at Cliftonpark Avenue on the Sunday before Christmas. He was on his way to Girdwood British Army barracks, where he worked as a kitchen porter.
The second charge related to a pipe bomb attack at the home of a leading UDA member John Gregg in Rathcoole near North Belfast on 21 December.
It was alleged the defendants withheld information which could have led to the arrest of those responsible. The attack is believed to have been linked to the ongoing Loyalist feud.
A detective told Belfast Magistrates Court that when he arrested and charged the defendants at Lisburn yesterday, both had replied 'no'. He said he believed he could connect them with the charges.
They were remanded in custody until 28 January. A lawyer for Mr Paul said his client had been advised to apply for bail at the High Court.
As the defendants were led from the dock, a number of women in the public gallery waved at them.
