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Man to face trial in April over murder of prison officer David Black

A man accused of being involved in the murder of prison officer David Black is to stand trial in April.

Damien McLaughlin, from Kilmascally Road in Dungannon, has been charged with aiding and abetting the murder of 52-year-old David Black.

Mr Black was shot and killed on the M1 as he drove to work in November 2012.

The 41-year-old Tyrone mane was arrested by the PSNI on four separate counts of: aiding and abetting murder; membership of a a proscribed organisation; commissioning and instigating preparatory acts of terrorism; and committing and assisting acts of terrorism.

McLaughlin has denied all charges against him.

He was due to face trial at Belfast Crown Court last year, but he breached his bail and absconded across the border.

He was arrested in Armagh last December where he appeared before Magistrates’ and remains in custody ahead of his trial which is set to bgin on April 30.

The non-jury trial is expected to last between four and six weeks.

The case will be reviewed again at Belfast Crown Court on February 23.

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