An eight-man IRA unit wiped out by SAS gunmen after they launched a bomb attack on an Armagh police station nearly 25 years ago opened fire first on the undercover soldiers, it has been claimed.

A Dundalk man charged with conspiracy to cause an explosion outside an Armagh police station in April failed to be granted bail by the Special Criminal Court today.

A Dundalk man appeared before the Special Criminal Court this morning charged with conspiracy to cause an explosion outside an Armagh police station last month.