Today the court heard how Brian is a" highly unlikely terrorist".  Brian Shivers has never committed any criminal offences and has a limited lifespan because he is suffering from cystic fibrosis, his barrister told the court.

"He is 46 years old and has never committed a criminal offence in his life. He has a lack of propensity to offend and is credible as a witness in his own defence."

Mr O'Connor added: "With all these powers and opportunities the Crown has been unable to place before you any sign of a political motive or a commitment which could lie behind this."

He said his client had serious medical difficulties.  "Mr Shivers is someone who lives under the shadow of a limited lifespan for medical reasons," he added.

He said that in no way does that mean that he is necessarily innocent or could not have committed the offences but added it would tend to have a "sobering effect" on a man's approach to life.

Defence barrister Patrick O'Connor

"It renders it less likely that he should suddenly out of the blue engage in some mad terrorist adventure," he added.

He said the amount of DNA evidence linking his client to a mobile phone and matchsticks in the getaway car was tiny.

"The fact that every one of the traces attributed to Mr Shivers are low template DNA and each of them has a sign that there may be at least one other contributor, it is a very fragile exercise indeed," Mr O'Connor added.

Mr O'Connor concluded:  "Individually and cumulatively these arguments present an insurmountable barrier to a safe and proper conviction of Mr Shivers and it is therefore with confidence that we invite you to find him not guilty of these terrorist charges."