A 38-year-old Strabane man has been refused bail after a detective told Omagh Magistrates' Court that DNA found on a mask linked him to an attempted Tiger Kidnapping in December.

John Kelly of Main Street has also been forensically linked to the attempted theft of £40,000 from the FIr Trees Hotel in Strabane on July 27, 2007.

Flanked by two security guards, Kelly was charged with attempting to steal the cash from the Fir Trees Hotel two and a half years ago and on December 6 last year attempting to kidnap a female, hijack a vehicle and possession of a firearm or

imitation firearm.

The Public Prosecution Service and PSNI objected to Kelly getting bail because of the seriousness of the alleged offences, the fear of him absconding and committing further crimes.

The detective said that Tiger kidnappings have been 'prevalent' in the Strabane area in recent years and there is a fear of more being carried out.

He told the court that two individuals entered a room in the Fir Trees Hotel in Strabane during July 2007 waiting for the 'cashroom' to be opened. However they fled towards the town centre on foot after being disturbed. The would-be robbers

were wearing boiler suits, masks and gloves and carrying rucksacks. A rucksack was later found containing the items that were contaminated with DNA profiles that forensic scientists matched to Kelly.

In December three masked men tried to kidnap the female proprietor of a Strabane supermarket as she was getting into her car after leaving work.

The woman became hysterical and when employees rushed to her aid, the three Tiger kidnappers fled into the garden of a nearby nursing home.

The detective said that a mask found in the garden was again linked by DNA to the defendant.

When Kelly was interviewed on December 15 he read a prepared statement denying any involvement in the Tiger kidnapping and refused to elaborate to police.

Defence counsel John Crilly, instructed by John Fahy solicitors, suggested that his client could have absconded following the interview.

The police witness agreed but pointed out there was no evidence to link Kelly to the Tiger kidnapping when he was initially interviewed.

Asking for bail under onerous conditions Mr Crilly acknowledged that the charges were serious however there was a presumption of innocence and that Kelly had no previous convictions for these type of crimes.

He said the defendant has lived in Strabane for three and a half years with his elderly parents.

Refusing bail District Judge Greg McCourt said, "These are serious charges. He has given no explanation regarding the evidence to connect him with the crimes.

He is strongly connected to these offences."

Kelly was remanded in custody to appear before Strabane Magistrates' Court by videolink on April 2.