Ex-IRA men deny blackmail plot
Two former IRA prisoners used threats in a bid to pocket a £150,000 pay-off from millions allegedly raised using the organisation's name, a London court heard on Friday.
Saturday, 28 November 2009
Nick Mullen, 61, once jailed for being a "quartermaster" for an IRA active service unit, and Ronald McCartney, 56, who tried to kill three policeman in the mid-seventies, warned a pair of businessman to hand over £150,000 "or face the consequences", it was claimed.
Their alleged victims, including one who used to provide security for Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams during visits to Downing Street, were told they had a week to pay.
In the first threatening call the former security adviser was warned: "There has been an investigation and we know what you have been up to", London's Southwark Crown Court heard.
He was then told he would receive a letter requiring him to follow instructions.
The businessman then rang several "well-placed" contacts, including Brighton bomber Pat McGee, so he could be to "put in the picture".
After that he contacted the police.
Opening what is expected to be a four-week trial, Mark Heywood, prosecuting, said four days later letters dropped on the doormats of both men.
They not only bore the Irish Gaelic for the Provisional IRA - Oglaigh na h-Eireann - but were signed with the organisation's nom de guerre "P O'Neill".
It told them after a "prolonged and intensive investigation ... it had been established that both of you have used our organisation for personal gain".
It accused the former Sinn Fein supporter of abusing the "position of trust" he once held.
The letter to the former supporter said such behaviour was forbidden under the IRA's constitution, that "the punishment for such abuse is self-explanatory", and that they were sure he would be "aware of the consequences".
The barrister told jurors it accused the businessmen of "extracting something in the region of £6,000,000", although it was possible an "extra 0" had been added in error and that the real figure should have read £600,000.
It continued: "When you think of the volunteers who are in early graves as a result of this struggle and the volunteers and families who have endured years of imprisonment you will understand our justifiable anger that the two of you have exploited this situation for your own personal gain."
Mr Heywood claimed that night the other businessman was phoned at home. All he heard was a voice telling him "Silly boy, silly boy", before the caller hung up.
The alleged victims cannot be named for legal reasons.
Mullen, of Birlington Mews, West Acton, west London, and McCartney, 55, of Ross Road, Belfast, deny two counts of conspiracy to blackmail between January 1 and April 16, 2008.
The trial was adjourned until Monday.
© Press Association