A man accused of kidnapping a teenage Traveller and demanding a £100,000 ransom was acting as a go-between to ensure his safe release, a court heard today.
Mr Stephen Dempsey (40) was among three men charged with snatching 16-year-old Charles Doherty from Mallusk caravan site on the outskirts of Belfast and blackmailing his family.
The youth was released on Saturday after being held hostage for five days. A lawyer for Mr Dempsey, of Cloverhill Vale, Bangor, Co Down, told the city's magistrates court that his client had been brought in by the victim's uncle.
Mr Seamus Leonard said: "My client is making the case that he facilitated the safe release of the young man and that he thanked my client."
Mr Dempsey was accused along with Mr Mark Paul Braniff (38) of Merrion Park, Belfast and Mr Gerard Maguire (42) of Donard View, Ballyhornan in Downpatrick, Co Down of taking the teenager against his will and demanding £100,000 from his father, Mr Charles Doherty Snr.
All three men were remanded in custody until June 28th.
PA