Stone in court on Stormont murder bid charges
Loyalist killer Michael Stone was again remanded in custody today charged with the attempted murder of Sinn Féin leaders Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness.
Stone, 51, spoke only to confirm his name when he appeared at Belfast Magistrates’ Court via video link from the top-security Maghaberry Prison where he is being held.
He was remanded to appear before the same court on February 16.
Stone was arrested on November 24 when he stormed the Stormont Parliament building and was stopped by security staff as he tried to enter the main revolving front door.
He was charged with attempting to murder five people – the Sinn Féin chiefs, the two security staff who detained him, and an unnamed person.
He was also charged with possession of an imitation firearm, explosives and articles likely to be of use to terrorists.
Stone was on licence after being freed early from his sentence for the murders of three people in a gun and grenade attack on an IRA funeral when he was arrested.
Since the Stormont incident, he has had his licence revoked and been ordered to serve the remainder of his life sentence.
During a bail application last month, Stone’s lawyer told the Northern Ireland High Court that his actions at Stormont were “performance art” and he did not intend to hurt anyone.
