Rival factions clash in Belfast court building

Rivals factions have clashed at Belfast Crown Court today at the trial of a County Armagh man accused of murdering a loyalist drug dealer.

Jim Johnston, 45, was shot dead outside his home at Crawfordsburn, Co Down, in May 2003.

Police who were summoned by court security staff eventually separated Mr Johnston's family and supporters of the accused, Robert Young, 41, from Ulsterville Park in Portadown, outside the courtroom.

During the fracas, punches were reported to have been thrown between the rival groups and an attempt was made to throw one person from a fourth floor balcony in the court building.

With the people involved in the trouble ejected from the court building, 40 police officers stood outside the court afterwards to prevent further incidents. No arrests were made.

Inside the courtroom the accused's sister, Lorraine Young, 39, of Church Hill in Holywood, Co Down, faced charges of providing him with a false alibi, which she denied. A second woman, Susan Ferguson, 36, from West Link also in Holywood, denied three counts of possessing firearms. Both women were granted bail.

Mr Young who denied a charge of murder was remanded in custody.

(MB/SP)