A DONEGAL man charged with directing a criminal organisation has appeared back in Letterkenny District Court.
Declan Jordan (33) of Foxes Glen, Milford faces three charges relating to incidents going back over four years.
He is charged that on August 3, 2022, at First Choice Tyres, Dry Arch Business Park, Letterkenny, with a view to making a gain for himself or others and with the intent to cause a loss to another, made an unwanted demand, to wit payment of monies from a man with menaces.
He faces a similar charge of demanding monies with menace from the same man at another address in Letterkenny, on a date unknown in 2022.
Both charges are contrary to Section 17 of the Criminal Justice Act (public order) 1999 as amended by Section 22 of Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008.
The defendant also faces a charge that between an unknown date in the middle of 2022 and February 12, 2025, he directed the activities of a criminal organisation, both within and outside of the state.
This charge is contrary to Section 71 (A) of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006, as inserted by section 5 of the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act, 2009.
Jordan was brought before Monday’s sitting of Letterkenny District Court following his arrest on Sunday afternoon.
The court was told that on his arrest, he made no reply to the charges.
After a brief hearing, Jordan was remanded in custody to appear back before today’s sitting.
His solicitor, Mr Rory O’Brien, is not participating due to ongoing industrial action in relation to legal aid payments, but confirmed that a High Court bail application is in progress.
He added that there is a difficulty with that bail application due to staff at the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) taking part in a work-to-rule-strike.
Judge Emile Daly remanded Jordan in custody to Castlerea prison until October 1.
Garda Sergeant Jim Collins consented to Jordan appearing back in court on that date via videolink.