A brother-in-law of Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness appeared in court in Derry today on a series of charges following the abduction of a couple in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, this week.
The couple are Brendan Cranston (42), of New Brooke Road in Mullingar's Clonmore Estate and his partner, Linda Doherty (38), also from New Brooke Road.
Mr Cranston was shot in both ankles at High Park in the Creggan area of Derry early on Tuesday morning. He's still recovering from his injuries in the city's Altnagelvin Hospital. Both he and Ms Doherty were also assaulted.
Marvin Canning from Glen Dara in the Brandywell area of Derry was charged with falsely imprisoning and assaulting Mr Cranston, kidnapping Ms Doherty, causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr Cranston, possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, falsely imprisoning, assaulting and detaining Ms Doherty against her will, causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Ms Doherty and kidnapping Mr Cranston.
All the offences are alleged to have taken place in Derry last Monday and Tuesday.
The defendant, who made no reply to the charges, was remanded in custody to appear before in court via a video link on May 24th pending the outcome of a bail application to the High Court in Belfast.
He is a brother of the wife of Mr McGuinness, the MP for Mid Ulster and designate deputy First Minister at the new Northern Ireland Assembly, which will meet for the first time in Belfast on May 8th.