FOUR men have appeared in court accused of plotting to murder high-profile Loyalists Johnny "Mad Dog" Adair and Sammy McCrory.

Antoin Duffy, 38, Martin Hughes, 35, Paul Sands, 31, and John Gorman, 57, made their first public appearance in the dock at the High Court in Glasgow.

They are charged with conspiring to murder Mr Adair and Mr McCrory - once figures in the Ulster Defence Association (UDA).

The court heard Mr Duffy and Mr Gorman were also allegedly part of a plan to target the governor of Barlinnie Prison in a car bomb attack.

In a seven-page indictment, prosecutors say the four men, along with un-named individuals, plotted to kill Mr Adair and Mr McCrory between August 2010 and October last year.

Locations where the plans were allegedly discussed include high-security Shotts Prison and a flat in Old Castle Road, Shawlands, Glasgow.

It is claimed "surveillance and reconnaissance" was carried out on Mr Adair and Mr McCrory.

The charge further includes accusations there were plans "of where and by what means" each man "was to be murdered".

It is also claimed there was an attempt to get firearms and ammunition and a plan to procure vehicles, number plates and a safe place to later dump them.

Mr Duffy and Mr Gorman are then accused that, between June 2012 and last October, they were involved in a conspiracy to murder Barlinnie governor Derek McGill.

Prosecutors allege "reconnaissance" occurred to find Mr McGill's home, vehicle and movements.

It is said this was done with the intention "Derek McGill would be the target of a car bomb or similar attack".

The four accused also face another charge of joining others with the "intention of committing acts of terrorism".

The allegation, under the Terrorism Act 2006, spans locations in Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Irish Republic and lists a number of prisons.

It includes claims contact was made with the Real IRA and the IRA.

The charge alleges there was a plan to identify individuals and premises "to be the target of action" causing serious harm.

It is also claimed individuals were recruited to get involved, attempts made to get vehicles, firearms and explosives as well as "tactics" discussed to avoid police detection.

Mr Hughes, Mr Sands and Mr Gorman further face a separate charge of intending to assist Mr Duffy in acts of terrorism.

The accusation lists similar claims as the other Terrorism Act charge, including the alleged possession of Loyalist and Republican paraphernalia.

Three other men, Craig Convery, 36, Gary Convery, 34, and Gordon Brown, 29, joined them in the dock to face allegations linked to the terror plans.

The Converys are accused of directing others to commit serious offences such as drug dealing, possession of firearms and also face charges under the Proceeds Of Crime Act.

The charges they face include instructing individuals in the sale and transportation of a number of deadly weapons such as revolvers and rifles.

Mr Brown is then charged with agreeing with the Converys to help in the "commission of serious organised crime".

One accusation states he met Mr Duffy and handed money to him.

The trio are also accused along with Mr Duffy of possessing an assault rifle at an address in Paisley.

Craig Convery faces a final charge under the Proceeds Of Crime Act of having £5,660 on September 12 last year.

Lawyers for all the accused pled not guilty on their behalf.

Judge Lord Boyd ordered the seven to return to court for a two-day hearing in November.

No trial date was fixed.