A Belfast man has appeared in court accused of the samurai-sword murder of a leading Ulster loyalist.
Albert Armstrong is accused of killing Colin “Bap” Lindsay, a veteran of the Ulster Defence Association, on the Belvoir housing estate in the south of the city on Wednesday night.
The 46-year-old is also accused of the attempted murder of Stanley Wrightman, 52, who is in a critical condition in hospital.
Lindsay and Wrightman were stabbed repeatedly with a samurai sword at Lindsay’s home. The Police Service of Northern Ireland said Lindsay had suffered “a very brutal death”.
Before the hearing at Newtownards magistrates court, the district judge Des Perry said he was aware the case was “emotive” and warned that any disturbance would force him to clear the courtroom.
Armstrong’s solicitor did not make a bail application and the brief hearing passed off without any incident. Perry remanded the accused to appear before court via videolink on 7 August.
