Charges follow extortion inquiry

Three men have been remanded in custody following a police investigation into extortion by loyalists in east Antrim.

Two were accused of blackmail and terrorist funding and the other with having a gun and bullets in suspicious circumstances.

There was heavy security at Belfast Magistrates Court as the three men, all with addresses in Carrickfergus, appeared in the dock.

They were also accused of providing funding for terrorism.

The men were remanded in custody to appear in court again on 18 January.

Colville Hogsett, 41, from Sullatober Square, and 25-year-old Gary William James Riddell from Oakwood Road, were both accused of blackmail and demanding £10,000 from a man in the Carrickfergus area on a date between 3 December and 4 January.

George Campbell Kennedy, 39, from the Hollies, was charged with having a pistol and five rounds of ammunition in suspicious circumstances between a date unknown and 4 January.

A detective constable told Saturday's hearing that he believed he could connect the three accused to the charges.