Stone bombs 'could have killed'

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An explosives expert has said the bombs which loyalist killer Michael Stone had with him when he stormed Parliament Buildings in 2006 could have killed.

Dr Gerard Murray told the Crown lawyer at Stone's trial that the devices had the potential to cause serious injury, "horrific" burns and even death.

Stone denies attempting to murder Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness, as well as other explosive and weapons charges.

Dr Murray will be cross-examined by a defence lawyer on Thursday.

He described the construction of each device to the court, and said that had the nail bombs exploded they would have flung shrapnel "in various directions".

The flight bag which contained a bundle of firework rockets taped to bottles of petrol containing chunks of fire lighters and a gas canister would have caused a "fireball".

When Dr Murray was asked if the devices could have killed, he replied: "Yes, in certain circumstances the potential is there to cause death."