A self-employed builder was jailed for four-and-a-half years today for his part in an IRA plot to blackmail an alleged cigarette smuggler out of stg£300,000.
Richard O'Donnell (56) of Old Course Road, Downpatrick, who has already served a prison sentence for possession of explosives, was also ordered to serve a year-and-a-half on probation following his release.
He had pleaded guilty after police secretly recorded telephone calls between the IRA and their victim.
In sentencing, Judge Kevin Finnegan accepted O'Donnell's claim that he only acted as a go-between.
"There's a sense of frustration that the main players are not before the court," the judge said.
O'Donnell was arrested in a police operation mounted after three men first called to the victims, known as witness A, at premises near Downpatrick, Co Down, in September 2004. They demanded cash from him within five days.
Prosecuting QC Gordon Kerr had earlier told the court: "If he failed to pay back the money he would be put in a hole."
A mobile phone he was given to stay in contact with the gang was bugged as part of the covert police operation. After the original £300,000 demand was reduced to £100,000, witness A was instructed to go to a meeting in Castlewellan, Co Down, and warned against involving the police.
O'Donnell, became involved at this stage. He arrived at witness A's offices to take him to the rendezvous but the victims refused to go.
Within days the defendant phoned him to set up an urgent meeting, insisting he was just a messenger for the IRA, the court was told.
O'Donnell urged the blackmail victim to make a contribution in return for its protection. Soon after he was stopped in his van and arrested in possession of the cash.
Despite his defence claiming witness A was a cigarette smuggler dealing in contraband goods rather than a legitimate businessman, Judge Finnegan insisted this did not diminish the crime.
He told Belfast Crown Court sitting in Downpatrick: "It's a serious offence and it's always serious no matter who the victim is."
But after hearing how O'Donnell has since his release from prison in 1987 become involved with local youth groups, the judge took this into consideration.
He added: "It's clear to me that the accused is a man who outside his criminality has helped his community. I'm satisfied that he wasn't a principal."
However, Judge Finnegan also warned O'Donnell that his age could pose him further difficulties.