Three men alleged to be involved in the extortion of money and intimidation of members of the Travelling community have been refused bail at the District Court in Limerick.
They are all charged with assault in which it is alleged the victim had his feet nailed to the ground with a nail gun.
Gerard Mackin, 33, of Star Court, John Carew Park, Southill, Limerick, 32-year-old Mark Heffernan of Swallow Drive, John Carew Park in Southill, and 52-year-old Patrick Hayes of Larch Court, Kennedy Park, Limerick are all charged with the assault and false imprisonment of a 51-year-old man in Limerick on 14 September.
During evidence at Limerick District Court today it was alleged that the victim was lured to a house in the city and threatened and assaulted by a number of men who said they were from the IRA.
It is also alleged that his feet were nailed to the floor with a nail gun during the attack.
The nails had to be surgically removed when the victim was later taken to hospital.
There was also evidence that the men tried to extort €15,000 from the victim and that he was warned not to tell gardaí.
Applications were made by all three accused to be freed on bail, but gardaí objected because of the nature of the charges and fears that witnesses would be interfered with.
Gardaí believe the three accused were acting in concert at the time of the alleged offences and that they are involved in a violent campaign of intimidation and extortion against certain members of the Travelling community.
Judge Marian O’Leary refused bail, believing it was necessary to prevent further offences being committed and to prevent any interference with witnesses in the case.
All three men were remanded in custody to appear in court again on Tuesday.
