An alleged kidnap and blackmail victim who was subjected to a “prolonged and brutal assault” has come forward to name a fourth suspect in the case, a court has heard.
Padraig Gerard Casey, 45, from Drumalt Road in Cullyhanna, and Connor Casey, 40, from Carrickbroad Road in Newry, are jointly charged with kidnapping the complainant, inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, and also with blackmail in that, allegedly with menaces, they made unwarranted demands of “give me £10,000 by the end of tonight and £90,000 by the end of the week.”
A youth, who cannot be named because of his age, is also facing a charge of grievous bodily harm with intent.
According to the police case, the complainant reported to the police that the three defendants and one other man he did not know subjected him to a “prolonged assault” at his home on Carnally Road in Silverbridge.
A previous court sitting heard how the alleged victim was repeatedly kicked and punched, before he was “forcibly put into a vehicle and taken to an unknown location,” where he was beaten again and “doused with disinfectant.”
Following the report, police went to the alleged victim’s home, but initially, they were unable to find him, and it was only later, as a result of an “extensive search,” that officers located the victim and took him to Daisy Hill Hospital before he was then transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital, where he is being treated for fractures to his eye sockets and cheekbones, as well as other injuries.
During a short hearing at Newry Magistrates’ Court last Wednesday, defence counsel Kevin O’Hare remarked on the unsatisfactory delay in the case and the naming of a fourth suspect as “bizarre.”
“It’s quite odd, this actually, your worship, because the court will observe, I think this matter now is a year before this court. So for an injured party, a year in, to go to police to make another statement to identify a potential fourth defendant is bizarre.
“Maps being outstanding a year in is also a little odd. So, given the history of this case, I think the court has to push this towards a decision.”
Deputy District Judge Natasha Fitzsimmons agreed: “I think that is right… it has been sitting in the court’s list for quite some time. I’m putting it in for four weeks’ time on the basis that there is to be a decision and the case has to get moving.”
The case was adjourned until 2 April for a decision.
