Henry Fitzsimons, 47, is alleged to have conspired with his two co-accused to murder members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

He was arrested in December 2013 and his lawyers have argued that the length of time taken in bringing the case to trial is coming to resemble detention without trial.

Mr Fitzsimons has submitted a bail application focussing on the time taken to bring the facts to a trial.

His application has been adjourned until a voice analyst gives evidence at a separate hearing next month.

However, Judge Gordon Kerr QC at Belfast Magistrates’ Court reportedly told prosecutors: “If the preliminary inquiry is not completed on this occasion, you’re likely to be faced with a position where delay has been extensive and cannot be tolerated.”