Armed police officers were on duty in and around Belfast magistrates' court yesterday as four men were remanded in custody in relation to an alleged IRA kidnapping in the city on Friday.
Mr Liam Rainey (30), of New Barnsley Crescent, Mr Gerard McCrory (32), of Dermott Hill Road, Mr Thomas John Paul Tolan (32), of Ballymurphy Parade, unemployed, and Mr Harry Fitzsimons (35), a painter of St James's Gardens, all Belfast, faced charges of assault causing grievous bodily harm, and of the assault and unlawful imprisonment of Mr Robert Tohill.
They were also charged with possessing items likely to be of use to terrorists, namely disposable clothing, pepper spray, two metal cudgels and a blue Renault van.
A fourth charge of membership of a proscribed organisation, namely the IRA, was withdrawn in court this morning.
Mr Rainey, whose right arm was bandaged, was charged alongside Mr McCrory.
Mr Tolan and Mr Fitzsimons, who were brought in after them, refused to stand in court and gave the thumbs-up sign to friends and family in the public gallery. One of the men had a black eye.
A detective chief inspector told the court all four men made no reply when charged, and he confirmed to a defence solicitor that Mr Tohill had not made a statement to the police.
There was applause from some in the public gallery when the men were taken away.
Magistrate Desmond Perry said: "If that is what your clients' relatives think of as dignity they are very far from the mark."
All four are to appear before the court again on March 22nd.
Their solicitor said a High Court bail application would be made.