A 54-YEAR-OLD man accused of being involved in an organised crime gang allegedly responsible for extorting £1.2 million over a two-year period has failed in a bid to have his bail conditions varied.

Paul Maye (54), of Sally’s Wood, Irvinestown, is jointly charged with Christopher Francis McGovern (39), of Trasna Way, Lisnaskea, of blackmailing an individual between September 1, 2015 and October 2, 2017.

McGovern is also facing a further charge relating to alleged money laundering.

Both men, who are currently subject to stringent bail conditions, appeared before Fermanagh Magistrates Court on Wednesday for an update in their case.

At an earlier hearing, a PSNI detective constable told the court, during the course of investigations into the alleged activities of the criminal gang, police became aware that the two men were involved in blackmailing a victim in West Sussex out of around £1.2 million.

At the latest hearing in the case on Wednesday, a prosecutor told the court that a third co-accused, Sandra Morrison (49), of Main Street, Lisnaskea, had since appeared in court charged with blackmail and money laundering.

He said that her case had been adjourned until January 8 for an update.

The PPS representative added that some investigations remained outstanding in the blackmail charge.

Solicitor Dara Montague, representing Maye, told the court that, as part of his bail conditions, her client had to report twice a week to a police station.

The solicitor said her client was seeking to reduce that condition to once a week, but this was objected to by the PSNI.

Ms. Montague told the court that the police knew the defendant well, had his passport and knew his movements.

She added that he was in “very poor health”.

During cross-examination, a PSNI officer confirmed that Maye had not breached his bail since his first court appearance, but added that the police requested that all conditions remained.

Ms. Montague said that the alleged injured party in the case had failed to identify one of the defendants and claimed that the case had reached a “dead end” and would not progress any further.

After district judge Michael Ranaghan asked if Maye’s medical condition had declined, the solicitor replied that he suffered from “numerous problems” that were never going to improve.

Refusing the application to vary bail, the judge adjourned the case until January 8.