A LARNE man arrested as part of a PSNI investigation into an escalating "feud" in the town, is alleged to be "highly influential" in the UVF, a court heard yesterday.
However a lawyer for 41-year-old Alan Cowan of Sallagh Park Central said his client strongly denied such claims and said nothing was put to the accused about membership of such an organisation.
Cowan appeared at Coleraine Magistrates Court to face two charges of possessing offensive weapons - a butterfly knife and an extendable baton.
A police officer objected to bail and claimed he was in possession of the items at Sallagh Park Central around 1am on Saturday.
She said police went to Cowan's home with a search warrant in relation to "information received" and he arrived home in his vehicle with three other individuals.
The officer said there had been "ongoing incidents" in the Larne area including arson attacks on a hairdressing business and another incident in the town on Sunday.
She alleged the accused is "involved in the UVF" in Larne and tensions were extremely high as part of an "ongoing feud".
She said she believed Cowan to be "highly influential" in the group.
A lawyer for forklift driver Cowan however said his client was well-regarded at his workplace and lives with his partner and young son and also provides for a 19-year-old pregnant step-daughter.
He said Cowan accepted he owned the items recovered by police but said there was "a big gap to cross" before any more serious charges could be levelled against him.
District Judge Peter King released Cowan on his own bail of £500, with a similar surety from his partner, to reside at an address outside the Larne area to be agreed by police.
There is also an 11pm-7am curfew and he is banned from Larne except for travelling to work and is to have no contact with others linked to the case.
The case has been adjourned to Ballymena Magistrates Court on April 27.
Meanwhile, a 34-year-old man was charged last night about attacks linked to ongoing tensions in Larne.
He is to appear before Antrim Magistrates Court today charged with several crimes including arson endangering life with intent, threats to kill, intimidation and wasting police time by making a false report.
He was arrested after a stolen car was driven into a house on the Killyglen Road and set on fire on Sunday afternoon.
Two men aged 23 and 32 were also arrested. They were bailed last night pending further inquiries.
