Three men on terrorism charges

THREE men accused of terrorist crimes and a €12,000 blackmail plot were remanded in custody yesterday.

All of them denied any involvement in the alleged offences at the magistrates’ court in Derry.

Jonathan Forrest, aged 28, of Bushfield Mill, Park, and Patrick McGowan, aged 44, of Learmount Road, Claudy, Derry, were each charged with making an unwarranted demand for £8,000 (€11,842) from a witness, known as A, between July 3 and August 25 this year and of inviting a person to provide money or property for terrorist purposes. Brian Conwell, aged 30, of Gortscreagan Road, Park, faced the same allegations plus a third of threatening to kill the witness.