Duffy bail application adjourned

Belfast High Court has heard that soil found on a boot belonging to a high-profile republican, matches samples found in the car used in the murders of two British soldiers last March.

The claim was made during a bail application for Coilin Duffy, who is charged with the murders of sappers Mark Quinsey and Patrick Azimkar at Massereene barracks in Co Antrim.

The court heard that on the night of the Massereene attack, two masked gunmen fired more than 60 rounds at their victims before escaping in a waiting car.

The vehicle was later found partially burnt out in Randalstown. Forensics examinations were carried out on the tip of a glove found in the front passenger seat of the car.

A prosecution barrister told the court that the chance of obtaining a matching profile of DNA other than from Mr Duffy would be less than one in a million.

Mixed profiles of three people were also found on a seatbelt buckle and a forensic scientist concluded that one of them could belong to the 41-year-old Lurgan man.

The prosecution barrister revealed that soil comparisons were carried out after footwear was seized during searches of his home.

However, Mr Duffy's barrister argued that the report only stated the soil may have come from the same location.

He pointed out that eight months after the murders, the authorities in Northern Ireland had yet to decide to press ahead with the charges against the Lurgan man.

The application was adjourned until prosecutors can confirm that the case against Mr Duffy will proceed.