Gardai devised 'extremely impressive" new ID method, Lunney trial hears

The Special Criminal Court heard that gardaí employed an "extremely impressive" identification procedure when examining CCTV footage related to the abduction and assault of businessman Kevin Lunney in County Cavan on 17 September 2019. Inspector Stephen Mullen outlined the controlled process whereby officers with potential knowledge of persons in the footage were segregated, shown material without context, and recorded independently. Three men pleaded not guilty to false imprisonment and intentionally causing serious harm: a 40-year-old man identified as YZ, Alan O'Brien (40) of East Wall, Dublin, and Darren Redmond (27), also of East Wall. Luke O'Reilly (67) from Mullahoran Lower, Kilcogy, County Cavan, similarly entered not guilty pleas. Gardaí testified to identifying the accused at various locations including Dublin apartments and service stations. Physical evidence, including bleach bottles recovered from Mr O'Reilly's property and a recently positioned trailer at Drumbrade, was also presented. The trial continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt with Judges Gerard Griffin and David McHugh.