IRA men blackmailed us, allege businessmen

TWO former IRA prisoners blackmailed businessmen in a bid to get a share of £6 million (€6.7m) said to have been raised using the name of the republican organisation, a court has heard.

Nick Mullen, 60, once jailed for being a “quartermaster” for an IRA active service unit, and Ronald McCartney, 55, who tried to kill three policeman in the mid-1970s, warned a pair of businessman to hand over £150,000 each (€166,000) “or face the consequences”, it was claimed.

Their alleged victims, including one accused of abusing the “position of trust” he used to enjoy in the republican movement, were told they had a week to pay.