A BUNCRANA man will go on trial this year charged with blackmail, extortion and demanding money with menaces.
If found guilty, Carl Ryan faces up to 14 years in prison.
Ryan (42) of Burrwood, Magherinture, Buncrana is charged with making an unwarranted demand for €1,000 from William Baldrick with menaces on October 7, 2019.
The accused was before Buncrana District Court this week.
The Director of Public Prosecutions has consented to Ryan being forwarded for trial at the next sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court, which commences in April.
Judge Paul Kelly administered the alibi warning and a section 56 order, relating to videotapes of interviews, was granted.
Solicitor for Ryan, Mr Rory O’Brien applied for a second legal counsel due to the seriousness of the charge.
“It is a specifically unique charge of blackmail and extortion,” Mr O’Brien said. “It has an upper limit of 14 years in prison.”
A book of evidence has been served on Ryan, who has to sign on once a week at Buncrana Garda Station