Men remanded on kidnap charge

Three men have appeared at Belfast Magistrates Court accused of kidnapping a teenager.

The charges follow the abduction of the son of a prominent member of the travelling community last week from his home at Mallusk, County Antrim.

Paul Braniff, 38, from Merrion Park in Belfast, Stephen Dempsey, 40, from Cloverhill Vale in Bangor and Gerard Maguire, 42, of Donard View, Ballyhornan, near Downpatirck. appeared before the court on Tuesday.

All three are also charged with blackmailing the family of the teenager who are prominent members of the Travelling community.

The 16-year-old youth was released after a £100,000 ransom was paid.

Mr Maguire is also accused of false imprisonment and assault.

A solicitor for Mr Dempsey and Mr Braniff said his clients had been brought in by the teenager's family to help get him released.

A solicitor for Mr Maguire said he had been acting under duress.

All three were remanded in custody.

On Monday, a 29-year-old man appeared in court on charges of assisting offenders by allegedly receiving and helping dispose of a £100,000 ransom payment in connection with the incident.