‘No revenge’ in blackmail claims

A FORMER Fianna Fáil councillor has denied he made blackmail allegations because he wanted to “lash out” after been confronted by a reporter with pictures of him allegedly taking cocaine.

During his third day of cross-examination, ex-Dublin City councillor Liam Kelly rejected claims that he was “taking out his anger” on the accused, Wesley Higgins, because the Sunday World were going to print pictures of him appearing to take the drug.

Mr Higgins, 33, is accused of attempting to extort €5,000 from Mr Kelly by threatening to give such pictures to a newspaper.

Mr Higgins of Dundaniel Road, Kilmore, Coolock, has pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to demanding money with menaces between August 6 and 12, 2006.

Defence counsel, Mr Keith Spencer BL, put it to Kelly that when Sunday World reporter, Eugene Masterson, confronted him in the street with pictures allegedly showing him taking cocaine, he “took it out” on Mr Higgins.

The trial continues before Judge Desmond Hogan and a jury.