A man accused of attempting to murder a trainee police officer fired his gun as he fled from a covert military unit hiding out near the scene, a court has heard.

Gerard James McManus claims he discharged his weapon after coming under fire from the undercover police team in Garrison on Saturday evening.

The 26-year-old, from Fernhill in Letterkenny, is one of two men charged with the attempted murder of the newly-recruited officer in the Co Fermanagh village.

Also accused of the murder attempt is Kevin Barry Nolan (32), a one-time independent republican election candidate, from Main Street in Blacklion, Co Cavan.

Both men also face charges of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, while McManus is additionally charged with using a firearm to resist arrest.

The pair have been remanded in custody. Neither Nolan nor McManus spoke during the hearing at Dungannon Magistrates Court yesterday. A detective sergeant said he believed he could connect the men to the charges.

A lawyer for McManus, Peter Corrigan, asked the detective about a statement provided by his client. In it McManus alleges that he was leaving the scene when shots were fired at him. He admitted firing a shot as he fled, but claims this was directed away from the police officers.

Despite repeated queries by Mr Corrigan the detective claimed he was not in a position to confirm whether Army surveillance officers were involved in an operation prior to the arrests.

Asked if he could confirm that a surveillance unit had been deployed, the detective replied: “No, I can’t confirm that.”

District Judge Bernie Kelly remanded the pair in custody to re-appear before Enniskillen Magistrates Court via videolink on December 21.