Gardaí are questioning a man over attempts by a Northern gang to extort money from a businessman in the midlands.
The man (33) is from Belfast and was arrested after he went to pick up a large sum of money in a car in Co Kildare yesterday.
The extortion attempt began last week when a three-man gang, all believed to be from Belfast, walked into a business premises in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, and demanded to speak to the owner.
They told him that he owed €30,000 to an associate of theirs and that they were calling to collect the money. The businessman said he knew nothing of any €30,000 debt.
When the gang contacted the businessman again, he agreed to leave €10,000 in cash in a parked car in Maynooth village, Co Kildare.
The vehicle was left in the village by arrangement yesterday, but when one of the gang appeared just after 1pm to take the money from the car, armed gardaí arrested him.
He was taken to Mullingar Garda station.