A HIGH-PROFILE republican accused of attempting to murder police officers has been freed on bail after more than two years on remand.
West Belfast man Harry Fitzsimons is facing a string of paramilitary charges along with Colin Duffy and Alex McCrory, who are now expected to mount similar bids for release.
The three men, alleged to be senior members of the 'IRA', were arrested after shots were fired at a PSNI Land Rover on the Crumlin Road in north Belfast in December 2013.
They are believed to be among the longest-serving prisoners held on remand since the end of the Troubles.
Granting bail, Mr Justice Gordon Kerr said Mr Fitzsimons has been in custody for two years and three months and there were “very good reasons” why he was previously turned down.
However, he said that given the history of the case and the length of time spent in jail “bail will be granted”.
The judge had earlier remarked that "no court has been in the position that this court is in".
Conditions of bail include two sureties of £10,000 and a daily curfew from 7pm to 8am.
He also ordered him to wear an electronic tag, surrender all travel documents and not to leave the north without permission of a court.
The Belfast man has also been banned from entering Lurgan and having contact with the other defendants or witnesses.
The charges include attempting to murder members of the PSNI, conspiracy to possess firearms and explosives with intent to endanger life, aiding and abetting the possession of a firearm, and belonging to a proscribed organisation - namely the IRA.
The 47-year-old was arrested along with prominent Co Armagh republican Colin Duffy and west Belfast man Alex McCrory after allegedly holding a meeting in the grounds of a country house near Lurgan a day after the north Belfast gun attack.
Prosecutors claim the men were recorded for more than an hour while holding a "leadership command discussion regarding the IRA, its activities and future direction", including the amount of weapons and Semtex at its disposal.
A barrister for the PSNI opposed bail during the brief hearing yesterday.
Speaking after the hearing Mr Fitzsimons’ solicitor Philip Breen his clients release will help in preparation for any future trial.
“This is a very complex matter,” he said.
