CONTINUITY IRA members have allegedly gathered intelligence on the sister of a young Belfast businessman who is the victim of a suspected blackmail plot, a Belfast court has heard.
The claims were made as police opposed bail in the case of a man accused of blackmailing the businessman who is part of a witness protection scheme and cannot be named. By order of the court he can only be referred to as Witness A.
John Patrick Clarke (35) appeared before the Magistrates Court yesterday charged in connection with an alleged attempt to menace a man into handing over thousands of pounds. Mr Clarke, of Ardglen Place, Belfast, faces two counts of blackmail on dates in September.
However, his solicitor told the court his client would deny that any threats had been made and that approaches had been made to Witness A only in regard to the repayment of money owed.
He told the court that Mr Clarke met Witness A in a car park beside his workplace on September 15th and that Witness A agreed to repay the sum. It was later handed over at another meeting in the Markets area of Belfast.
The court was then told police approached Witness A four days later and he agreed to co-operate with them.
Opposing bail, a police officer told the District judge that, according to the PSNI, Mr Clarke could interfere with Witness A, was a member of a criminal gang and could have an effect on public order.
The court also was told the PSNI had intelligence that the Continuity IRA planned “action” against Witness A and to “discredit” him, and that dissident republicans were “actively trying to get information” on his sister.
Mr Clarke was remanded in custody to appear again via video-link later this month.