Prosecutors stand no chance of convicting the man accused of murdering Belfast father Robert McCartney, his lawyer claimed today.
Terence Davison (49) is in custody awaiting trial for his alleged part in the killing last January.
Joe McVeigh, solictor
But his solicitor told Belfast Magistrates' Court there was a political context to the case.
At a new hearing today, Joe McVeigh claimed: "This man is entirely innocent. There's not even the slightest suggestion that he's guilty of the matters put to him. We maintain that the evidence put to him in interview wouldn't substantiate the charges."
Mr McCartney (33), was stabbed to death in an alleyway outside Magennis's bar in January. His sisters and partner Bridgeen Hagans, who blamed the IRA for the murder, have mounted a high-profile campaign to bring all his killers to justice.
Mr Davison, of Stanfield Place in Belfast, was arrested in June along with a second man accused of trying to kill a friend of Mr McCartney's on the same night. Both men deny the charges.
Mr McVeigh suggested a shorter remand period in an effort to pressure the Crown into providing regular updates on the state of its case.
Magistrate Greg McCourt told him: "I appreciate there's a public spotlight on this case. But that's not a good enough reason for me to remand him other than for the normal four weeks."
Mr Davison was remanded in custody at Maghaberry Prison in Co Antrim until September 9th.
PA