The decomposed body of one of the alleged victims was found a year ago in undergrowth beside a duck pond near Newtownards, County Down.

The second alleged victim was shot dead in Bangor, County Down, in July.

Thomas David Maginnis, 36, of Rathmullan Drive, Newtownards, was charged with the murder of Brian O'Rawe, 36.

Mr Maginnis was also charged with the murder of William Henry Paul, 49, who was shot dead in Bangor on 3 July.

He was also charged with the robbery of £1,850 from a woman in County Down on 6 February.

A second man, Adrian Gordon Price, 28, of Blenheim Drive, Newtownards, appeared in the dock at the Belfast Magistrates Court charged with making available a car on 3 July knowing or suspecting that it would be used in an act or acts of terrorism.

An RUC Detective Chief Inspector told the court that when he charged Maginnis last night he replied "definitely not guilty" to the murder charges but guilty to the robbery.

He said Mr Price had replied "not guilty" to the charge against him.