Courts / Limerick / Report

Man jailed for kidnapping son of post office mistress has conviction quashed on appeal

Date
2017-03-30

Stage
Appeal

Court
Limerick Circuit Criminal Court

Primary locality
Limerick

Summary

Zachary Coughlan Ryan, aged 38, was convicted in 2014 for the kidnapping of Stephen Cusack, 19, and Niall Reddan, 21, who were held at Caisleann na hAbhainn, Castletroy on 19 August 2012. The men were gagged, had their hands bound with cable ties and were taken in a pick‑up truck to a location. Ryan was sentenced to eight years and three months by Mr Justice Carroll Moran. In 2017, the Court of Appeal quashed the conviction after the Court found that a prosecution witness had made an inadmissible comment before the jury, stating that Ryan had previously been in prison twice. The judge ruled that the comment had a prejudicial effect, likely influencing the jury's view of Ryan's character. The case was remitted to the Court of Appeal to decide whether a retrial is necessary. The conviction was therefore overturned, but no new sentence was imposed. Zachary Coughlan Ryan pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man jailed for kidnapping son of post office mistress has conviction quashed on appeal. Charges or matters: falsely imprisoning Stephen Cusack (19) and Niall Reddan (21) at Caisleann na hAbhainn, Castletroy on August 19, 2012. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty

When: