Omagh man appears in court charged with kidnapping and blackmail

A second Omagh man has appeared in court in relation to an alleged kidnapping plot during which a 100,000 euro ransom was paid after threats were made to kill the victim.
Matthew McLean, 22, of Glen Park Road, in Omagh, appeared before Strabane Magistrates’ Court.
He was charged with kidnapping, blackmail, and false imprisonment.
The offences are alleged to have occurred between 1 and 5 October this year.
Mr McLean’s co-accused, 39-year-old Patrick McCall from Omagh, and 55-year-old Robert Vevers, who has an address in Scotland, were both remanded in custody following a court appearance on Wednesday.
Detective Constable William Cross told the court he could connect Mr McLean to the alleged plot.
During the hearing the accused spoke only to confirm his date of birth.
Following the brief hearing, Mr McLean was remanded in custody to appear by video link at Omagh Court again on 16 October.