Murder victim's brother in court

Brother of murder victim facing arms charges

A Belfast man remanded in custody on firearms charges is to apply for compassionate bail to attend his murdered brother's funeral.

Arthur Paul Rocket, 33, from Workman Avenue was in court on Wednesday charged with possessing a loaded revolver and ammunition with intent to endanger life.

His brother Sam, 22, was shot dead in north Belfast on Tuesday night.

The killing has been blamed on the loyalist paramilitary group, the Ulster Freedom Fighters, as part of its feud with the rival loyalist faction, the Ulster Volunteer Force.

The accused hobbled into the dock at Belfast Magistrate's Court on crutches after sustaining a broken ankle during his arrest on Monday evening.

It is understood he fell off his motorcycle when police gave chase after he allegedly failed to stop at a road block in the Donegall Road area of the city.

When charged Mr Rocket replied: "No reply."

He was remanded in custody until 20 September.

Outside the court his solicitor said an application would be made in the High Court on Thursday for compassionate bail to enable the accused to attend his brother's funeral on Saturday.

Second man remanded in custody

At the same court, another man faced a separate firearms charge in relation to a weapons find in the Shankill area earlier in the week.

Newell Coll, 26, from Brookmount Street, was charged with possessing three handguns, a stengun, three magazines and over 600 rounds of ammunition.

It is alleged the weapons were found at his home.

A detective said when the accused was charged he replied: "Not guilty."

Replying to a defence solicitor the detective said that throughout interview Mr Coll had denied all knowledge of the firearms.

He was also remanded in custody until 20 September.