Three people were remanded on bail at the District Court in Ballybay, Co Monaghan, yesterday on charges arising from a major investigation extending over several counties into an alleged extortion racket involving non-nationals.
Judge Flann Brennan was told by Supt Tom Long that the three Lithuanian nationals before the court on charges relating to the unauthorised taking of a vehicle, were part of an eight-member gang detained last month in Ballybay.
He said the five other people arrested were still in custody, having been remanded at a sitting in Cloverhill Prison.
Supt Long said files on all eight accused, including two women, had been compiled for the Director of Public Prosecutions and more serious charges were likely to follow.
The three who appeared on bail at Ballybay yesterday were Gintaras Zeluis, Oldtown Mill, Celbridge, Co Kildare; Edita Zelviene, same address; and Renata Zukiene, Hunters Wood, Ballycullen, Co Dublin.
They were charged with the unauthorised taking of a car in Ballybay on August 13th.
Supt Long said this was "a very serious case" and he sought a further remand on continuing bail in respect of the three, to another sitting of the court.
"A number of more serious charges are likely in the case," he said.
Supt Long also asked the judge to make it a condition of the bail already set for the three accused that they should remain outside the Ballybay area.
"There are a number of witnesses living in the area, and in view of the nature of this case, we would be concerned about any interference with them," he said.
Judge Brennan remanded all three accused to an October 6th sitting of the court and ordered them to remain outside the Ballybay area.