Bail given to arrested candidate

Gerry McGeough was released on bail

An assembly election candidate arrested as he left a counting centre has been released on bail in the High Court.

Gerry McGeough, 48, from Carrick Castle Road, Dungannon, is charged with attempting to murder a part-time UDR soldier in 1981.

He is also charged with possessing firearms with intent to endanger life. A co-accused was also bailed last week.

Bail was set at £500, with a surety of £2,500, and Mr McGeough was ordered to report to police three times a week.

A Crown lawyer alleged that Mr McGeough was a dissident republican opposed to the peace process and aligned to the Continuity IRA.

But a defence lawyer said he had no interest in violence to bring about change.

He said Mr McGeough had been living in the Dungannon area with his wife and family since last September, yet the police only arrested him as he emerged from the election count in Omagh in the full glare of the media.

Mr Justice McLaughlin said he was saying nothing about the timing of the arrest as he was trying to keep the court as neutral as possible.

But he said there was evidence that McGeough had been living openly in Northern Ireland and had sufficient roots to reduce the risk of absconding.

His solicitor said later that the Police Ombudsman has agreed to investigate the circumstances surrounding McGeough's arrest.