PROMINENT loyalist Mark Harbinson, who is due to face trial on firearms charges, is under a death threat from dissident republicans, a court has been told.
The 50-year-old made an unsuccessful bid today to amend two conditions of his bail.
While refusing the application to remove his electronic tag and scrap his 10pm to 8am curfew, Judge Patricia Smyth said it was the duty of police to ensure that Harbinson is not at any risk of harm.
Harbinson is to stand trial in June accused of possessing a 9mm Makarov pistol, a silencer and 28 rounds of 9mm ammunition under suspicious circumstances and without holding the relevant firearms certificates.
They were found in a biscuit tin during a police search of outbuildings at his Sheepwalk Road home in Stoneyford, Co Antrim in December 2015.
A defence barrister told Belfast Crown Court today that the bail conditions were proving difficult in Harbinson's attempts at rebuilding his relationship with his wife and child.
The were also said to be interfering with his helping out on the farm of his elderly parents who need his assistance.
The lawyer said Harbinson was continually looking at his watch to ensure he is home by 10pm each evening, and revealed that police had recently informed him he was under a death threat from dissident republicans and should review his security.
This presented difficulties because anyone wanting Harbinson would know where he will be each night during the hours of his curfew.
Opposing the bail variations, a Crown lawyer said they were proportionate as Harbinson had not only shown an ability to acquire a large sum of money at short notice and travel to England, they were also necessary to ensure he was following the conditions of his bail.
The lawyer said police had already offered Harbinson a flexibility on the times he has to sign for his bail so that no pattern could be formed.
The court was also told that for a number of years Harbinson had been a high-profile figure and those wishing him harm have known where he is.
Rejecting the application, Judge Smyth said the bail condtions were both necessary and proportionate.
