A date has now been set for the case of six Pride of Ardoyne bandsmen charged with illegally playing music at Twaddell protest parades.

During a review hearing at Belfast Magistrates’ Court this morning, the date for the contest hearing was set as Wednesday, April 22.

Two days have been set aside for the hearing.

But a source close to the case told Belfast Daily: “In their arrogance, the prosecution have set aside just two days.

“This is going to be a long drawn out case for the prosecution. And all at the public expense.”

A heavy security presence is expected to be in place for the hearing as up to 500 loyalists plan to descend on the Laganside courts complex to show support to the bandsmen.

The six Belfast accused face charges of failing to comply with conditions imposed by the 1998 Public Processions Act by playing music between the junction of Twaddell Avenue and Woodvale Drive and the dispersal point at the junction of Twaddell Avenue and Crumlin Road during parades on a range of different dates between February and May.

Two other bandsmen have yet to receive their summons as they have since changed addresses.

At their first appearance in October, PUP leader Billy Hutchinson and north Belfast DUP MP Nigel Dodds were among the those who turned up to support the bandsmen.

As part of the prosecution case, a total of 22 police officers have been called to give evidence against the bandsmen.

Among the police witnesses will be local PSNI ‘silver commander’ Inspector Gavin Kirkpatrick.

A defence lawyer is expected to question police officers about an alleged ‘informant’ it had recruited.

The PSNI ‘informant’ is said to have named the six accused as leading members of the POA and also helped identify where they were living.

It is understood the ‘informant’ will receive a defence summons to give evidence at the hearing.

The decision to prosecute the bandsmen is said to have left PSNI officers in north/west Belfast concerned that they may be “left with egg on their faces’’ if the POA win their case.

A security source: “There is a feeling among police in north/west Belfast that the charges should not have gone forward in the first place.

“This court case is just further damaging relations between the police and loyalists on the ground.’’