Man accused of telling police officer he would have a man shot freed on £200 bail

A man who allegedly told a police officer during interview that he would have another male shot has been released on bail.

Court heard that the 26-year-old is alleged to have stated “a man with money is a man with power” and to have commented that he knew someone in the IRA who would do it for him.

Ibrahim Braima Sanha, of Garvaghy Road in Portadown, appeared charged with threats to kill at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday, via videolink from police custody.

A constable, who connected the defendant to the charge, outlined that police had been interviewing Sanha in relation to a related matter.

At the conclusion of this, the defendant was asked if he had anything to add, and to this he is alleged to have stated that he would have the alleged injured party shot within two weeks.

When asked if he would do the shooting, Sanha is alleged to have told the officer that he would pay someone else to do it.

The defendant is alleged to have stated “a man with money is a man with power” and to have commented that he knew someone in the IRA who would do it for him.

The constable stated that bail was objected to due to risk of further offences, with the two parties living less than half a mile from one another.

She also outlined that Sanha had one previous entry on his record for threats to kill and another for “threatening behaviour”.

Defence barrister Damien Halloran informed court that the defendant was being interviewed regarding an alleged offence of criminal damage.

He stated that these had been “throwaway remarks” made by Sanha, who mistakenly believed that he was not going to be released on bail.

District Judge Amanda Brady said: “If he had paramilitary connections I would be worried but his record does not seem to suggest that and he has nothing to show he could obtain a firearm.”

Sanha was released on his own bail of £200 with conditions to have no contact with the alleged injured party and not to enter Ballyoran Park in Portadown.

The case was subsequently adjourned until December 16 for an update.

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