Belfast man faces terrorism trial

Ihab Shoukri will face terrorism charges in September

A north Belfast loyalist has denied belonging to a terrorist group.

Ihab Shoukri, 31, from Alliance Road, will now face trial in September after denying membership of the UFF and UDA.

Defence told Belfast Crown Court it should be heard before the trial in October of William Courtney, since related witnesses appear in both cases.

Mr Courtney, 41, of Fernhill Heights, Belfast, denies murdering former Johnny Adair associate Alan McCullough, whose body was found in Mallusk in 2003.

The defence and prosecution lawyers agreed that Mr Shoukri's trial should last "no more than three to four days".

Releasing Mr Shoukri on bail, Judge Tom Burgess said he would try to fix a date for his trial in the new court term.