A claim by the RUC Chief Constable that the IRA was involved in last week's murder of a leading loyalist was referred to in court yesterday when three men were charged with the killing.
A defence solicitor, Mr Kevin Winters, referred to RUC "leaks" about the murder and said: "It is alarming that journalists are informed of details about clothing and the outcome of forensic examinations, yet when I ask a question I am unable to find out what the evidence is."
In the dock at Belfast Magistrates Court were Mr Samuel Baker (26), of Summerhill Drive, Mr Sean Valente (25), of Woodside View, and Mr William Groves (25), of Tullymore Gardens. They were charged with the murder of a UDA member, Mr Robert Dougan, who was shot in his car at Dunmurry, near Belfast, last Tuesday; and possession of a .38 revolver on the day of the murder with intent to endanger life.
Mr Winters, who appeared for Mr Baker and Mr Valente, was told by a detective chief inspector that he was relying on forensic and circumstantial evidence, as well as identification, to connect all three defendants to the charges.
When the inspector was pressed for specific details he replied: "I wish to reserve further comment at this time."
Mr Winters said: "The media appear to be better briefed on the nature of the evidence than what this court has been informed today."
Questioned by Mr Philip Breen, solicitor for Mr Groves, the inspector said forensic examination in his case was ongoing.
The inspector also denied "misleading the court" and said: "I have stated on oath that I can connect the accused to the charges, and that is the case."
Mr Breen asked the inspector to confirm that, in relation to "so-called" identification evidence, "I made a number of very serious complaints concerning the conduct and behaviour of RUC officers at Donegall Pass police station".
The inspector replied: "I was made aware of three points of concern and these were duly recorded."
All three accused men were remanded in custody to appear at the Maze Court on March 11th.
Later a fourth man appeared in the dock on his own on a charge of withholding information about the murder. Mr Ronan Kennedy (23), a taxi-driver from Coolnasilla Park East, Belfast, was said to have replied to the charge: "I am not guilty."
He was also remanded in custody until March 11th.