Silverbridge: Kidnapped man doused with disinfectant, court told

The court were told the alleged victim suffered extensive facial injuries

A man allegedly kidnapped and blackmailed in Silverbridge, County Armagh, suffered "extensive facial injuries", a court has heard.

The man was allegedly kidnapped from his home, "doused with disinfectant" and ordered to hand over £100,000.

Padraig Gerard Casey, 44, from Drumald Road, Cullyhanna and Connor Casey, 39, from Carrickboard Road, Newry appeared at Newry Magistrates' Court on Monday.

The incident happened in Carnally Road at about 17:25 GMT on Saturday.

Padraig Casey and Connor Casey are jointly charged with kidnapping, inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and blackmail.

The court was told the two men made demands during the alleged kidnapping to give them "£100,000 by the end of tonight [Saturday] and £90,000 by the end of the week."

'Prolonged and brutal assault'

A police detective gave evidence to the court and said she could connect the defendants to each of the charges with reference to the victim's report to police.

The court was told the alleged victim was "forcibly put into a vehicle and taken to an unknown location" after being beaten repeatedly and "doused with disinfectant."

After police were called to the scene on the night, they could not locate the alleged victim in his home but after an "extensive search" he was found and transferred to hospital.

District Judge Magill said it was an "extremely serious case," adding that the alleged victim "was subjected to a prolonged and brutal assault at his home and also at another place where he was doused in disinfectant".

The two alleged assailants confirmed in court that they understood the charges against them.

They were refused bail and the case was adjourned until 13 March.