Fighting erupted outside a court today where four men were accused of possessing a fully primed rocket launcher.
One police officer and four civilians were injured, a PSNI spokesman said.
At one stage police in riot gear clashed with up to 50 supporters amid angry scenes at East Tyrone Magistrates Court in Cookstown, Co Tyrone.
A crowd gathered as the four men were brought to the courthouse following the discovery of an RPG22 rocket launcher and warhead close to a police station in Coalisland on Sunday.
Mr Donald Mullan, 31, of Fairmount Park, Dungannon; Mr Brendan O'Connor, 23, of Cavanoneill Road, Pomeroy; Mr Sean Dillon, 24, of Roughan Way, Coalisland; and Mr Kevin Barry Murphy, 31, of Altowen Park, Coalisland were all remanded in custody until March 19th.
All four faced two charges - possessing a rocket propelled grenade and launcher with intent to endanger life, and conspiring to murder members of the security forces.
They denied the charges. Inside as officers in flak jacket lined the courtroom, a police detective said he believed he could connect the men with the charges. But a lawyer acting for Mr Dillon claimed his client was stood on by officers after his arrest.
"I can tell you he has made a complaint against police officers," the lawyer said. The four handcuffed men grinned and gave a thumbs-up sign to their supporters before being led out of the dock to a round of applause.
Police again had to keep crowds back as the accused were driven away in Land Rovers. As the convoy sped off one man shouted after them: "We love you and we are proud of you."
PA