THE PSNI has denied responsibility for the death of a Strabane man allegedly crushed by the gates of Strabane PSNI station four years ago.

After some confusion as to whether or not Inspector Anderson could represent "the office of the Chief Constable" he was arraigned on the two charges at Omagh Crown Court, sitting in Belfast, but stood outside the dock of number 12 court.

The officer entered not guilty pleas to two charges, namely that on March 17 2003 the Office of the Chief Constable failed to take reasonable care of visitors to the workplace and also that on the same date, they failed to ensure the safety of employees.

The particulars of the offences accuse the Chief Constable's office of failing to ensure that "persons not in your employment who may be affected thereby were not exposed to risks to their health or safety" and also a failure to ensure that "doors and gates shall be suitably constructed and shall be fitted with any necessary safety devices...to prevent it causing injury by trapping any person".

The charges arise after 28-year-old Ciaran Connolly was allegedly crushed to death by the heavily fortified gates at the police station.

Defence lawyer acting on behalf of the Office of the Chief Constable, Donal Lunney applied to have time for lodging the defence statement extended but was refused by Mr Justice Hart.

The judge said that despite the PSNI only being returned for trial last January, "I'm sure the Chief Constable has had plenty of time to consider this".

Mr Justice Hart declared: "I see no reason whatever to extend to a public body the indulgence which is sought in a case of this nature where these events happened more than four years ago and the defence have had these papers for more than two months," adding that "this defendant will be treated with the same rigor as any other defendant and as soon as that's appreciated by those dealing with the matter, all the better."

He also directed deadlines for the lodging of engineers reports and also for third party disclosure applications.

The brief arraignment and mention of the case finished with Mr Lunney asking the judge for "continuing bail" for Inspector Anderson with the judge commenting, "I think it's unlikely that your client is going to abscond."