Councillor blackmail trial continues in legal argument

The trial of man accused of trying to blackmail a former Fianna Fáil councillor using pictures of him allegedly taking cocaine has continued in legal argument.

Wesley Higgins (aged 33) is accused of attempting to extort €5,000 from Mr Liam 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.

The trial spent today in legal argument in the absence of the jury. It will resume in evidence tomorrow before Judge Desmond Hogan and a jury of six men and six women.