This article is from page 12 of the 2006-10-03 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
AN EGYPTIAN man has appeared in court, charged with the extortion of €100,000 from an Ennis businessman last week.
Essam Eid (50), with an address in Cairo, Egypt, is also charged with the theft of a laptop and desktop computer, at Westgate Business Park, Ennis and with handling stolen property, on dates last week.
It is alleged he demanded €100,000 from a businessman, at Ballaghboy, Doora, last Tuesday, September 26. His solicitor Tara Godfrey applied for free legal aid. Inspector Michael Gallagher said the accused’s circumstances would have to be checked out, as he lived outside the jurisdiction.
Judge Joseph Mangan pointed out that the accused had an average weekly income of €1,000.
Mr Godfrey said, “While he would earn that when he is working, he is currently on holiday. They only have €200 and don’t have means to pay a solicitor.”
Judge Mangan said, “I see also he has a mortgage, which means he has a property,” and deferred the legal aid application.
Ms Godfrey said she was applying for bail, and that her client had no previous convictions either in Egypt or the US.
Inspector Gallagher said he was objecting to bail and sought a remand in custody for a fortnight. Judge Mangan agreed.
Gardaí say that a 43-year-old American woman arrested in connection with the same investigation was released without charge.