Special Criminal Court rejects argument that it has no jurisdiction to hear Lunney trial

The Special Criminal Court has rejected jurisdictional challenges to its authority to try four men accused of assaulting Quinn Industrial Holdings director Kevin Lunney. A defence counsel argued the court has evolved into a permanent structure beyond its legal remit under 1972 legislation establishing it as a temporary measure. He contended the Director of Public Prosecutions, rather than the Oireachtas, now determines cases heard by the three-judge court, undermining democratic oversight. Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding with judges Griffin and McHugh, dismissed these arguments, finding the court's jurisdiction established by legislation and the prosecution documentation in order. He noted the court cannot adjudicate on whether the Oireachtas has adequately revisited the foundational proclamation, describing such matters as political rather than judicial. The trial will proceed. The four accused face charges of false imprisonment and causing serious harm to Mr Lunney on 17 September 2019 at Drumbrade, Ballinagh, County Cavan, following his abduction in County Fermanagh.