A man accused of allowing his flat be used to hold a kidnapped bank official and his wife was refused bail in the High Court in Belfast yesterday.
The Continuity IRA kidnapped Mr Ryan Doherty and forced him to hand over a £20,500 ransom for his wife, Elaine's, safety, a lawyer for the couple alleged. The court heard three masked gunmen had burst into the Dohertys' home at Strabane, Co Tyrone, and taped the couple's eyes before taking them to a flat, where they were held overnight.
The following day, Mr Doherty was ordered to go the Bank of Ireland in Lifford, Co Donegal, with photographs taken by his captors showing himself and his wife with guns pointed at their heads. "He was told to withdraw all the money in the safe and the money in the ATM," said a lawyer for the couple.
"There was some discussion with bank officials, who agreed to give him 20,500 Irish punts. The money was handed over to his captors and he was reunited with his wife."
He was objecting to a bail application by Mr Patrick McGlinchey (32), Lisnafin Park, Strabane, who is charged with allowing his flat to be used to hold the couple. The lawyer said Mr McGlinchey was arrested a week after the incident and during interviews did not attempt to raise the defence of duress.
He said there was a risk of interference with witnesses if Mr McGlinchey got bail and Mr and Mrs Doherty were petrified at the prospect of being approached. "This man is involved in a very serious offence committed by Continuity IRA which is active at the present time and the court must be concerned he would commit further offences," said the lawyer.
A lawyer for Mr McGlinchey said there was no suggestion he was directly involved in the kidnapping and there was no evidence he enjoyed any financial benefit, or benefit whatsoever.
Bail was refused by Mr Justice Sheil, who said there was a risk Mr McGlinchey would not turn up for his trial, given that he lived close to the Border.