Loyalist Michael Stone's planned incursion on a crucial meeting of Stormont politicians was "performance art", his defence lawyer has claimed.
Loyalist Michael Stone is restrained at the doors of Parliament Buildings
He did not intend to endanger anyone's life and, Stone alleges, the explosive devices were not viable, the High Court in Belfast was told on Tuesday.
Stone, 51, was applying for bail on charges of attempting to murder Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness and two security guards on November 24.
The bail application was adjourned.
Stone's defence lawyer Arthur Harvey, QC, said he had received instructions from Stone that the incident, which caused chaos at Stormont and led to the evacuation of Parliament Buildings, was not intended to endanger the life of anyone.
"It was, in fact, a piece of performance art replicating a terrorist attack," said Mr Harvey.
"My instructions are that these were not viable explosive devices and were improvised from the most basic household items, including a cardboard holder for a kitchen roll, candle wax and powder from fireworks freely available in shops."
He applied for an adjournment to allow time for forensic evidence to substantiate the claims made by Stone.
Stone, whose licence for the Milltown murders has been revoked, is also charged with possessing home-made explosives and a real or imitation gun with intent.
The bail application was conducted via video link from Maghaberry Prison and the only word Stone spoke was when he answered "yes" after the Registrar asked him to confirm his name.