A MAN HAS appeared in court charged with attempted murder following an incident in which four people, including a prominent republican, were stabbed in west Belfast.

Thomas Valliday, 57, of Clonard Place in Belfast appeared at Belfast Magistrates Court facing charges of attempted murder and two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. He is also accused of being in possession of an offensive weapon, reports UTV.

Four people were stabbed during the attack on Tuesday night, which occurred in the Falls Road area. Republican Bobby Tohill suffered neck wounds, reports the BBC.

The prosecution told the court that there were serious concerns that Valliday would re-offend, claiming that the accused seemed be under the influence of alcohol and medication when he carried out the attack. However, the defence argued that there were a “litany of gaps and inconsistencies” in the prosecution’s case.

Valliday was released on bail until next week but banned from entering the west of the city. The judge also imposed a nighttime curfew.