John Downey appeared at Omagh Magistrates' Court this morning, Saturday, charged in connection with the murder of two Ulster Defence Regiment soldiers in Enniskillen in 1972.

A large crowd had gathered outside the court, among it Sinn Fein MPs, MLAs and councillors.

During the court hearing the PSNI objected to bail for Downey:

An officer told the court: "Police object to bail for the defendant on the grounds that he is a flight risk. The defendant was arrested on foot on a European Arrest Warrant on November 5 2018, and released on High Court bail on November 8, 2018," the officer said, before adding;

"The defendant did not consent to be extradited and appealed to the High Court in Dublin. On March 6 2019, the High Court granted leave to appeal extradition, this appeal was heard on May 27 2019 and was dismissed on July 3 2019. Then on July 11, the defendant sought leave to appeal to the Supreme Court, who on October 9 directed extradition. In light of all of this, police are of the view the defendant doesn't want to face trial in Northern Ireland."

Downey was refused bail due to the judge's assessment that he may be a flight risk.He has the right to appeal against the decision.

Downey had handed himself in to An Garda Siochana on Friday evening. He had lost an appeal to challenge his extradition.

An Garda Siochana released a statement on Friday evening, which said: "An Garda Siochana arrested a male in his sixties earlier today, October 11 2019.

"This male has been extradited to Northern Ireland in accordance with an EAW (European Arrest Warrant) issued by the PSNI."

In a statement, the PSNI said: "Detectives from PSNI arrested the 67-year-old man on suspicion of the murder of two Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) soldiers in 1972 and on suspicion of aiding and abetting an explosion.

"Lance Corporal Alfred Johnston - a father of four - and Private James Eames - a father of three - died when a device exploded in a car they were checking on the Irvinestown Road, Cherrymount, Enniskillen, in 1972.

"The PSNI investigation into these murders remains active," the statement read.

Downey was arrested at his home in Donegal in October last year under a European Arrest Warrant after authorities in Northern Ireland determined they had sufficient evidence to charge him with the murders of Mr Johnston, 32, and Mr Eames, 33.