A 44-YEAR-OLD man charged in connection with the murder of prison officer David Black will stand trial next year on charges of IRA membership and withholding information at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin.
In December Vincent Banks, of Smithfield Gate Apartments, Smithfield, Dublin, was charged with IRA membership.
He was also charged with withholding information in relation to the murder of David Black on dates between October 10 and December 20.
Counsel for the accused told the non-jury court that the defence anticipated the trial would last four weeks and was seeking a date in February next year.
Presiding judge Mr Justice Paul Butler said the court would fix a trial for February 25 2014.
Father-of-two David Black (52), who worked at the high-security Maghaberry prison in Co Antrim, was shot dead as he drove to work on a motorway near Lurgan in Co Armagh on November 1.
Dissident republicans claimed responsibility.