A leading loyalist accused of murder has been refused bail for a second time in the High Court in Belfast.
However Ihab Shoukri's lawyer was told by Justice Weatherup that if outstanding forensic reports proved negative then steps could be taken to secure his release.
Shoukri (29), from Alliance Road, north Belfast, has denied murdering Alan McCullough (21) whose body was found in a shallow grave at Mallusk last June, eight days after he was driven away from him home in the Lower Shankill.
Shoukri and a co-accused - William "Mo" Courtney - were alleged at a previous hearing to have been in the car.
Mr McCullough was a member of Johnny Adair's notorious "C" company of the UDA which was hounded out of Belfast and returned home after getting assurances about his safety.
Defence barrister Charles MacCreanor said tests for DNA and cartridge discharge residue had proved negative and tests on CCTV footage, soil and pollen were not yet complete.
But, he said, a report by a senior police officer stated: "It is pertinent to mention that as the body was not found for a week it is possible that none of these forensic tests will produce a positive result."
Mr MacCreanor: "The applicant says there cannot be any forensic evidence connecting him to the charge because he says he is innocent. The Crown seem to be saying there will be no forensic evidence so how can this man continue to be refsued bail."
Mr Justice Weatherup said if all the forensic tests eventually turned out to be negative then that would determine the matter.
"If there is not sufficient evidence to continue his detention then steps can be taken to secure his release but in the present circumstances I have to refuse bail." said the judge.