Court told of 'kidnap sham'

A man charged in connection with an alleged kidnapping in County Down has claimed it was a sham organised by the victim to cheat money from his own parents.

Five people, including two sisters, appeared before Banbridge Magistrates Court on Thursday charged in connection with the alleged incident which happened in Warrenpoint on Monday.

Darren Hanna was released on Tuesday after a ransom, believed to be £5,000 was paid by his father.

James McConville, 37, of Mary Street, Warrenpoint was charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment and blackmail; 21-year-old Mark McGrath of Maginniss Street, Newry, Karen Crilly, 24, and also from Maginniss Street, Newry and 20-year-old Ann Connors from Seaview, Warrenpoint, were all charged with kidnapping and false imprisonment.

Ms Connors' 17-year-old sister Bridget, also from Seaview Warrenpoint, was charged with withholding information.

They were remanded in custody and will be applying for bail at the High Court.

A defence solicitor told the court that one of the accused claimed in a statement to the police that the plan had been hatched by Mr Hanna in order to get money from his parents, which he intended to pay back.