Couple face false imprisonment of pensioner claims

A young Co Clare couple yesterday appeared in court charged in connection with the alleged blackmail and false imprisonment of a pensioner who was living by himself at the time.

At Ennis District Court yesterday, Jonathan Kenny, aged 25, of Elm Drive, Kilrush and his girlfriend, Marie Linnane, 19, of Griffin Road, Kilrush both appeared in connection with the alleged blackmail and false imprisonment of 65-year-old Paddy Quane at his Kilrush home on two separate dates last November.

Both are charged with the false imprisonment of the retired fisherman in the west Clare town of Kilrush on November 14 and November 19 last contrary to Section 15 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

Mr Kenny and Ms Linnane are also charged with blackmailing Mr Quane or making an unwarranted demand with menaces that Mr Quane would withdraw money from his credit union account between November 14 and November 19 last contrary to Section 17 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act.

Insp Tom Kennedy told the court yesterday that the Book of Evidence is currently being prepared in the case which will be heard in the Circuit Court.

Yesterday was the couple’s second appearance in court in relation to the alleged offences and Insp Kennedy applied for a two-week adjournment in the case to serve the Book of Evidence.

In the case, the two accused made no reply to the charges after caution.

If convicted of the false imprisonment charge in the circuit court, both could face prison terms up to life imprisonment.

If either are convicted of the ‘blackmail’ charge, they face prison terms up to 14 years in the circuit court.

Solicitor for the two, Patrick Moylan consented to the further remand in custody for his clients.

Bail has already been refused to the two and Judge Patrick Durcan remanded both in custody to re-appear before him at Ennis District Court on Wednesday, January 28 next.