A SOLICITOR for one of five defendants charged with the murder of Robert Hamill of Portadown yesterday told a special court in Lurgan, Armagh, that his client regarded the charge against him as a "cynical exercise to deflect criticism from the RUC".
Five defendants appeared in court, all charged with the murder of Mr Hamill on April 27th this year. All denied the charge.
A sixth man, who was charged yesterday afternoon, is expected to appear at Craigavon Magistrates court this morning.
The five defendants appeared separately before Resident Magistrate, Mr Ken Nixon, in the small RUC interview room in the custody suite of Lurgan police station.
They were: Mr Allister Hanvey (19), a machine operator of Derryanville Road; Mr Wayne David Lunt (17), a labourer of Manderly Court; Mr Paul Rodney Marc Hobson (20), a machine operator of Deer Park; Mr Dean Forbes (18), a painter and decorator of Deramore Drive and Mr Stacy Bridgett (19), a roofer of Donard Walk.
Mr Bridgett's solicitor, Mr Hugo Marley, said Mr Bridgett had given police an alibi. Mr Marley said his client felt the charge against him was a "cynical sop to placate public opinion".
He said his other client, Mr Lunt, regarded the charge against him as "a cynical exercise to deflect criticism from the RUC". He too, said Mr Marley, had given police "quality alibi evidence".
Mr Richard Montieth appeared for the other three defendants, Mr Hanvey, Mr Hobson and Mr Forbes.
The RUC inspector in charge of the murder inquiry told the court he could connect all the defendants with the charge but his inquiries were not yet complete.
The inspector told Mr Monteith he had evidence from witnesses at the scene to connect Mr Forbes and Mr Hobson to the charge.
The five defendants were remanded in custody to appear at Lisburn Magistrates Court sitting at the Maze on June 4th.