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Blackmail accused to face retrail Blackmail accused to face retrial
(about 4 hours later)
Two former IRA prisoners accused of blackmail are facing a retrial after jurors at Southwark Crown Court failed to reach verdicts against them.Two former IRA prisoners accused of blackmail are facing a retrial after jurors at Southwark Crown Court failed to reach verdicts against them.
Ronald McCartney and Nick Mullen deny falsely accusing alleged victims of misusing the IRA's name to obtain £5m.Ronald McCartney and Nick Mullen deny falsely accusing alleged victims of misusing the IRA's name to obtain £5m.
The court heard that menacing letters warned them they had a week to pay.The court heard that menacing letters warned them they had a week to pay.
After 17 hours the jury said they were deadlocked and could not return verdicts on the two conspiracy to blackmail counts which the men deny.After 17 hours the jury said they were deadlocked and could not return verdicts on the two conspiracy to blackmail counts which the men deny.
A third defendant, Louis O'Hara, 43, of Loughton, Essex, was cleared of both charges.A third defendant, Louis O'Hara, 43, of Loughton, Essex, was cleared of both charges.
He did not give evidence, but told police in interviews that while he accepted his mobile telephone had been used to call the businessmen, someone else must have made the calls without his permission.He did not give evidence, but told police in interviews that while he accepted his mobile telephone had been used to call the businessmen, someone else must have made the calls without his permission.
Nick Mullen, 60, of West Acton, London, did not give evidence either, telling police during interviews he was just a middleman who knew nothing about blackmail or the letters to the businessmen.Nick Mullen, 60, of West Acton, London, did not give evidence either, telling police during interviews he was just a middleman who knew nothing about blackmail or the letters to the businessmen.
Ronnie McCartney, 55, of Cavendish Court, Belfast, did give evidence.Ronnie McCartney, 55, of Cavendish Court, Belfast, did give evidence.
He said he was now a "man of peace" who had simply been trying to sort out a business dispute involving a friend.He said he was now a "man of peace" who had simply been trying to sort out a business dispute involving a friend.
The retrlal will provisionally start on 23 November. The retrial will provisionally start on 23 November.