A MAN is to stand trial on a series of paramilitary offences relating to attempts to murder members of the security forces, including a high ranking RUC officer.
Christopher O'Kane (41), of Woodland Avenue in Derry, refused to stand in the dock of Belfast Crown Court yesterday when asked by a court clerk to confirm his identity.
Judge Stephen Fowler QC was told by defence counsel Mark Mulholland QC that he was awaiting the arrival a number of medical reports on O'Kane's mental health and expected to have them within the next fortnight.
He added that he had concerns about the "admissibility of the interviews'' O'Kane had given to police after he walked into Strand Road PSNI station in October 2012.
Mr Mulholland told the court he may apply to have a separate hearing before the trial starts into the admissibility of this evidence.
After hearing that the non-jury trial could last up to two weeks, Judge Fowler set the trial date for September 7 this year.
O'Kane will stand trial on a total of 17 offences dating back to the late 1980s and early 1990s.
He is accused of membership of the Provisional IRA, collecting information likely to be of use to terrorists, five counts of attempted murder on police and soldiers, causing explosions with intent to endanger life, assisting offenders and false imprisonment.
A previous court heard that the defendant allegedly admitted at police interviews that he planted a bomb on the windowsill of the home of an RUC Assistant Chief Constable.
It was alleged in court that O'Kane admitted to his involvement in the murder of 21-year-old RUC Constable Michael Ferguson in Derry who was shot dead by the IRA in Derry's Shipquay Street on January 23, 1993 while on foot patrol.
A detective constable told the court that O'Kane gave police detailed information about the murder of the Catholic officer.
It was also claimed that the defendant admitted to officers that he was a member of the Provisional IRA between January 1991 and December 1993.
