'Architect' behind violent robbery and extortion of businessman withdrew from plan, appeal told

A man convicted of his role in a violent robbery and extortion of a Mayo businessman has appealed his conviction at the Court of Appeal, contending he had withdrawn from the criminal enterprise before the attack took place. William Twomey, aged 58 and from Warrenpoint, County Down, was found guilty at the Special Criminal Court in November 2021 of robbery, assault, and demanding money with menaces against Edward…