Posted online: Sep 20th, 2007

A man in his 30s was being questioned in Mullingar this week after he was arrested in Maynooth as part of an investigation into alleged extortion.

The arrest took place on Monday at about 1pm as part of an ongoing investigation by gardai from Mullingar. Members of the Emergence Response Unit also took part in the operation.

However, sources within the Gardai believe no subversive element was involved in the heist but rather local criminals.

It is believed a businessman from Mullingar was contacted by three men, who attempted to extort about €30,000 from him.

The arrest was made as one of the men went to Maynooth to collect money he believed had been left in a car.

The men was being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act at Mullingar Garda Station.