North: Pair in court on blackmail and terror charges

Two men appeared in court in the North today charged with blackmail and fundraising for terrorism.

William McClean, 44, and David Coleman, 20, denied the charges when they appeared before Belfast Magistrates’ Court.

McClean, of Hopewell Place, and Coleman, of Hopewell Crescent, both in the Shankill area, are accused of attempting to blackmail £5,000 (€7,300) with menaces from a building contractor.

It is also alleged the pair intended the money would go to a terrorist organisation but no particular group was specified in court.

When the charges, which relate to the period December 9-22, were put to Coleman, he replied: “I was in fear of my life, acting under duress.”

In reply to the charge of fundraising for terrorism, he said: “Acting under duress.”

McClean made no comment when the charges were put to him.

A detective constable told the court he could connect both men to the charges.

McClean and Coleman were arrested near a hotel in east Belfast on Wednesday.

It is understood they were charged in connection with an investigation into loyalist paramilitary extortion.

Resident Magistrate Ken Nixon remanded both men in custody and ordered them to reappear via video link on January 20.