Man tried to get battery for car used in attack

A suspect allegedly linked to the murder of a prison officer in the North attempted to get a battery for the car used to attack him, a court has heard.

Damien Joseph McLaughlin, aged 36, of Kilmascally Rd, Dungannon, Co Tyrone, denies obtaining and bringing from the Republic the Toyota Camry used to shoot dead David Black, aged 52, on the M1 in Armagh on Nov 1.

He was refused bail at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court yesterday after a judge said he posed a serious risk of re-offending and had previous convictions for possession of firearms.

He was also accused by police of membership of a colour party, a republicanshow of strength, at a funeral in Dublin.

A PSNI detective said: “The evidence is thatthere is CCTV showing Mr McLaughlin in a shop very close to the car makinginquiries about a battery that would allow him to start the car because therewas an issue with starting it.

“The Garda have evidence that Mr McLaughlin obtained assistance to start the car.”