Man charged over Irishman kidnapping

A man in his twenties yesterday appeared before a court in Accra, charged with the kidnap of the Irishman Clareman James Lafferty.

Local police are pursuing two other men as part of their investigation, while Mr Lafferty is expected to return to Ireland today after his five-day kidnap ordeal in an Accra hotel.

The 49-year-old was freed earlier this week as a result of an international policing operation. Ghanaian police confirmed yesterday that Mr Lafferty may have suffered psychological trauma from the kidnap ordeal, but is physically unharmed.

The acting director of public affairs with Ghanaian police, Kwesi Ofori, said last night: "I would like to reassure Mr Lafferty that we will guarantee his safety while in Ghana and that the police will do whatever it takes to ensure that the two accomplices to the alleged kidnap will face justice.

"Ghana is a very peaceful country and a kidnap or abduction is not a common phenomenon and it is being treated with all seriousness by Ghanaian police."

Mr Ofori confirmed that police are investigating claims Mr Lafferty came into contact with his abductors through the internet.

He said: "The investigation is at an initial stage, but we are finding out who met Mr Lafferty at the airport, who met him at the hotel and what happened at the hotel. At the moment, police are keeping all angles open to enable a very thorough investigation."

Mr Ofori said that the man charged with Mr Lafferty's kidnap has been remanded in custody until November 16th.

Last September, Mr Lafferty managed the Clare ladies under-16 team to defeat Sligo to claim the All-Ireland B title.