The case against man accused of shooting at police and Army personnel during rioting last summer is "paper thin", a bail hearing has been told.
John Main, 37, of Highfield Drive, denies attempted murder, riotous assembly and possession of a firearm.
The charges followed serious rioting in Belfast last September after the annual Whiterock Orange Order parade.
Defence told the High Court the case against Mr Main, who was freed on bail, was a "clothing recognition case".
Pointing out the father-of-four had been in custody for almost seven months the lawyer said the defence were "deeply concerned" about the delay in bringing the case to court.
He said Mr Main accepted he was "100 metres from the scene of the riot" and wearing clothing "similar" to that of a gunman who fired shots from a pistol at police lines.
Mr Justice Coghlin criticised the delay in bringing about the prosecution case and in light of the fact Mr Main has spent seven months in custody, bail was granted.