COURT: Former election candidate charged with directing criminal activities - Donegal News

Declan Jordan (33) was brought before today’s sitting of Letterkenny District Court.

A DONEGAL man who was a candidate in the local elections in 2024, has appeared in court charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation.

Detective Garda Derek Connaughton told the court he arrested Jordan, of Foxes Glen, Milford, at 4.15pm on Sunday, September 27, and informed him of the three charges.

Declan Jordan pictured during his campaign ahead of the local elections in 2024.

Jordan is charged that on August 3, 2022, at First Choice Tyres, Dry Arch Business Park, Letterkenny, with a view to making a gain for himself or others and with the intent to cause a loss to another, made an unwanted demand, to wit payment of monies from a man with menaces.

He faces a similar charge of demanding monies with menace from the same man at an address in Letterkenny, on a date unknown in 2022.

Both charges are contrary to Section 17 of the Criminal Justice Act (public order) 1999 as amended by Section 22 of Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008.

The defendant also faces a charge that between an unknown date in the middle of 2022 and February 12, 2025, he directed the activities of a criminal organisation, both within and outside of the state.

This charge is contrary to Section 71 (A) of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006, as inserted by section 5 of the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act, 2009.

Garda Sergeant Jim Collins said directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had been received, but Gardai were still awaiting direction in relation to the venue for the court.

Solicitor Rory O’Brien said that due to the ongoing legal aid dispute, he was “not able to assist”, Jordan, but told the court that a High Court bail application would be made in relation to the charge of directing a criminal organisation.

Jordan was remanded in custody to appear in Letterkenny District Court on Tuesday, September 29 via videolink.

The defendant was an Independent candidate in the 2024 local elections, contesting a seat in the Letterkenny area. He failed to get elected.

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