TWO men are to stand trial later this year on offences linked to suspected UDA activity.
Brian David Dean (52) and 41-year old Desmond John William Lundy appeared at Belfast Crown Court today where they were both charged with three offences under the Terrorism Act.
Dean, from Ainsworth Avenue in Belfast, was charged with belonging to a proscribed organisation, namely the UDA, on dates between September 1, 2015 and August 1, 2017.
When this charge was put to Dean, he replied "no, not guilty."
Lundy, from Abbey Ring in Holywood, was also charged with membership of the UDA, on dates between September 1, 2015 and September 2, 2016. When charged, he replied 'not guilty.'
In addition, both men face charges of possessing articles for use in terrorism, and possessing documents or records likely to be useful for terrorism.
Dean was charged with, and denied, possessing a 'quantity of balaclavas' for use in terrorism on July 31, 2017, while Lundy was charged with, and denied, possessing balaclavas, gloves and jackets bearing a UDA badge for use in terrorism on September 1, 2016.
The pair were also charged with possessing a Code of Conduct of the Ulster Defence Association, a Pledge of Allegiance and a copy of the Monkstown Agreement.
Dean was charged with possessing the items between September 1, 2015 and September 2, 2016, and replied 'no, not guilty,' while co-accused Lundy responded 'not guilty' when he was charged with possessing the same items on September 1, 2016.
After both men entered their pleas, barristers for the pair confirmed their clients were ready for trial.
Prosecuting barrister Sam Magee told the Belfast Recorder, Judge David McFarland, that the trial is expected to last two to three days.
A Diplock non-jury trial date was then set for October 15, 2019, and while both men were released on bail on the terrorist charges, they were remanded back into custody as they are both sentenced prisoners currently serving jail terms for unrelated offences.