Pipe bomb and live ammunition left outside businessman’s home as two accused of alleged extortion, court hears

TWO Dublin men have been accused of attempting to extort €1.5 million from a Co Louth businessman who had a pipe bomb and live ammunition left outside his home.

Darren Cole (49) and Francis O’Hanlon (59) both appeared in court today charged with demanding money with menaces from the alleged victim, Neil Kelly.

Mr Cole is also charged with threatening to kill or seriously harm him.

Dublin District Court heard the alleged blackmail related to a business debt. Both men were granted bail, subject to strict conditions, including a ban from entering Co Louth.

Judge Cephas Power remanded them in custody with consent to bail to appear in court again next week.

Mr Cole, a father-of-two of Foxhill Close, Coolock, is charged with demanding money with menaces from Mr Kelly between August 26 and December 13 last year.

Mr O’Hanlon, a taxi driver and grandfather from Ballyshannon Road, Kilmore, is charged with the same offence, as well as threatening to kill Mr Kelly or cause him serious harm at Callystown, Clogherhead, Co Louth on August 26.

Garda Sergeant Aaron Gormley said Mr Cole was arrested at Harold’s Cross, Dublin on February 19 and brought to Drogheda garda station yesterday, when he was charged and made no reply after caution. Another garda gave evidence of Mr O’Hanlon’s arrest, charge and caution, to which he also made no reply, and both gardai objected to bail.

During the contested bail hearing, the court was told Mr Kelly had allegedly been intimidated and threatened over three to four months.

On August 26 last year, a “functional explosive device” – a pipe bomb -and four rounds of live ammunition were left at the front door of Neil Kelly’s house in Clogherhead.

Following this, messages were left on his phone threatening his well being and that of his family, it was alleged. These included a reference that he “knew what to do” to stop the threats. The court also heard evidence of several meetings Mr Kelly attended at which both accused were allegedly present.

It was alleged Mr Kelly was told if the debt was not paid “things would end very badly” and he was in fear for his life.

Proposed evidence included audio recordings and CCTV footage.

Mr Cole was heavily involved in the boxing community and was looking after his elderly parents, his solicitor Amanda Connolly said, applying for bail.

Mr O’Hanlon had lived at his address for 30 years and was “rooted in the community”, his solicitor Conor MacGuill said. He “categorically denies” the charge related to the pipe bomb and bullets, Mr MacGuill said.

Judge Power said the charges were serious but the accused were presumed innocent and the garda bail concerns could be met by conditions. Under the terms, both men are to stay away from Mr Kelly, his family and any witnesses. They must stay out of Co Louth and notify gardai when leaving the Dublin area.

They are to sign on daily at their local garda stations, surrender their passports and be available by mobile phone at all times. Bail was set at €15,000 for Mr O’Hanlon and €13,000 for Mr Cole.

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