Maghera man denies murder of RUC officer in 1981

Standing in the dock of Belfast crown Court on Friday in a beige jacket and shirt, 56-year-old Seamus Martin Kearney pleaded not guilty to the murder of RUC Reserve Constable John proctor on September 14 1981.

Kearney, from the Gortleade Road, Maghera, also denied possessing an Armalite AR15 rifle with intent to endanger life on the same date.

RUC Reserve Constable John Proctor was 25 when he was murdered by the IRA in the car park of Magherafelt Hospital after visiting his new-born son.

Lawyers for both the defence and prosecution said a number of witnesses in the case had been agreed but that there were still further applications to be made to the court before the trial, set to be heard on November 11 and to last two weeks.