Man charged in connection with David Black murder appears before High Court

A man arrested in County Donegal on a European Arrest Warrant appeared at the High Court in Dublin in connection with the murder of David Black, a Northern Ireland prison officer shot dead on the M1 motorway in November 2012. Damien Joseph McLaughlin, aged 40 and with an address in Belfast, faces charges of aiding and abetting the murder and possession of an article suspected for use in the killing. He is also charged with engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism and membership of a proscribed organisation. Detective Sergeant Padraig Boyce of the Special Detective Unit outlined the arrest made in Donegal on Thursday. The defence argued excessive force was used during apprehension and challenged the validity of the arrest. Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly rejected the application, noting the serious nature of the terrorism allegations and that the accused had previously breached bail conditions in Northern Ireland. She found the arrest lawful and proportionate. Mr McLaughlin was remanded in custody with the case listed for mention on 20th March.