Clashes outside court during rocket launcher case hearing

Fighting has erupted outside a court where four men are accused of possessing a fully primed rocket launcher.

At one stage police in riot gear clashed with up to 50 supporters at East Tyrone Magistrates Court in Cookstown, Co Tyrone.

A crowd gathered as the 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.

Donald Mullan, aged 31, of Fairmount Park, Dungannon; Brendan O'Connor, aged 23, of Cavanoneill Road, Pomeroy; Sean Dillon, aged 24, of Roughan Way, Coalisland; and Kevin Barry Murphy, aged 31, of Altowen Park, Coalisland were all remanded in custody until March 19.

All four face 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.

A police detective told the court he believed he could connect the men with the charges.

But a lawyer acting for Dillon claimed his client was stood on by officers after his arrest. He said: "I can tell you he has made a complaint against police officers."

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."