Kidnap victim suffered 'horrific ordeal' - PSNI
Three men were jailed at Newry Crown Court on Wednesday over the incident in October 2020
- Published
A man who was shot in the leg with a crossbow and threatened with a chainsaw after being kidnapped suffered a "horrific ordeal", a senior police officer has said.
Three men were jailed at Newry Crown Court on Wednesday for kidnapping and wounding in relation to the incident in October 2020.
The man was abducted from his home in County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland and driven 18km (11 miles) to Castlederg, County Tyrone, in Northern Ireland.
Det Ch Insp Kerry Brennan told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme the man's ordeal was "unimaginable".
The men were sentenced at Newry Crown Court
All three men were sentenced for their role in the kidnapping on Wednesday.
Sean McCosker, 34, of Listymore Park, Castlederg, must serve two-and-a-half years in prison.
Brendan McShane, 30, of Garag Hill, Churchtown, Castlederg, was given a two-year sentence.
Joseph Martin Mannion, 39, of Chestnutt Park, Strabane, was jailed for 18 months.
All three must serve additional periods on licence when their jail terms end.
'Callous offenders now behind bars'
Det Ch Insp Kerry Brennan praised the victim, who despite going through a traumatic ordeal, fully co-operated with the investigation with officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and An Garda Síochána (Irish police service).
On 4 October 2020. the PSNI got a report of a suspected kidnapping from An Garda Síochána and officers observed a suspect vehicle at a property at Listymore in Castlederg. The property was searched and the vehicle seized.
"Through diligent work of An Garda Síochána and local officers in Derry City and Strabane, basically identifying the vehicle and location, they were able to alert specialist officers and rescue our very brave victim," Det Ch Insp Brennan said.
"He worked with us the whole entire time to help ensure this criminal justice outcome.
"This man was abducted from his home, assaulted with a weapon and threatened and I just don't think there are many words that could describe what was going through his head at the time.
"Knowing these callous offenders are now behind bars will hopefully give him comfort."