Courts / Limerick / Report

Limerick man faces retrial over kidnap of post office mistress's son

Summary

In 2012, Zachary Coughlan Ryan, aged 38, was convicted of kidnapping Stephen Cusack, 19, and Niall Reddan, 21, at Caisleann na hAbhainn, Castletroy. He was found guilty by a jury after a 14‑day trial and sentenced to eight years and three months imprisonment on 28 January 2014. Ryan appealed on grounds that a prosecution witness had made an inadmissible comment before the jury, stating that Ryan had previously been in jail twice. The Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice Alan Mahon, agreed that the comment had a prejudicial effect, potentially influencing the jury's view of Ryan's character. The appeal was allowed, the conviction was quashed, and a retrial was ordered. The case remains at the retrial stage, with no further outcome reported in the article. Zachary Coughlan Ryan pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Limerick man faces retrial over kidnap of post office mistress's son. 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:

• August 19, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
• January 28, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2017-04-06 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal

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Read the original CNI report