TWO men who were due to appear in court on Friday failed to show after they were shot in west Belfast last night by dissident republicans.

The Court Service has confirmed that bench warrants have now been issued for the arrests of Martin Young, of Glenbawn Park, and James Bingham, of Causeway End Road, Lisburn.

They were shot in the legs on Thursday night in the Poleglas area of west Belfast.

They were expected before Newry Crown Court charged with supplying a Class A controlled drug in 2013.

The court was told the pair had been discharged on Thursday night.

The court heard that Mr Young and Mr Bingham, both aged 39, had left the Royal Victoria Hospital, where they were being treated, of their own accord.

A prosecution lawyer said: “Both had superficial wounds. Nothing which would have prevented them coming to court.”

The court was also told that Mr Bingham had made an application for a change to his bail conditions, so that “he could have dinner with his wife and child before surrendering himself to the court and custody”.

However, Mr Bingham was in the company of Mr Young when they were shot at about 8.45 pm in Poleglass on Thursday evening – a breach of his bail conditions.

Police have now received the warrants and will be arrested on sight and taken into police custody until the next court sitting.