A e1.6 million (£1.2m.) kidnap and extortion plot was masterminded by a disabled republican leader from Strabane, a court has heard.
Wheelchair user Eddie McGarrigle, of Melmount Gardens, Strabane, is alleged to have orchestrated the botched ransom bid on an Irish businessman in Cork city the weekend before last. Gardai foiled the bid after a seven-month surveillance operation, t
he court was told.
Mr. McGarrigle (42) is an Ard Comhairle member of the Irish Republican Socialist Party (IRSP).
The Special Criminal Court in Dublin heard the INLA gang plotted the alleged raid on a family home in the exclusive Montenotte area of Cork city.
Masks
The court was told that two members of the republican group were found at the house wearing garden gloves and face masks. Knives, cable ties, duck tape and women’s tights - to be used as masks - were recovered in garda searches.
McGarrigle was granted bail along with Dublin men Gareth Dunne, Clonard Road, Crumlin, and Gerard Kelleher, Cathedral View Walk, who were arrested at the businessman’s house.
Detective Superintendent Diarmuid O’Sullivan, of the Garda Special Detective Unit objected to bail and told the court he feared the alleged INLA men would flee the country, intimidate witnesses and continue INLA activity if freed.
Det Supt O’Sullivan claimed McGarrigle had controlled the alleged kidnap plot. He also told the court that the Strabane man had a conviction for conspiracy to murder dating back to 1990.
As part of his strict bail conditions, Mr. McGarrigle was ordered to reside at Glenview Park, Ballybofey, Co Donegal until the trial.
Application
Bail applications for two other men charged over the attempted kidnap, John McCrossan, of Ballycolman Estate, Strabane, and Neil Myles, of no fixed abode, will be heard next month.
