Courts / Dublin / Report

Former Sinn Fein councillor who waterboarded fraudster is not a friend of Adams and McDonald, court told

Date
2017-05-19

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

The Special Criminal Court adjourned the sentencing of Jonathan Dowdall and his father, Patrick Dowdall, until May 30th. Both men, of Navan Road, Dublin 7, had previously pleaded guilty to falsely imprisoning and threatening to kill Alexander Hurley on January 15th, 2015. The court heard that the defendants believed Hurley was attempting to defraud them of bank details after he contacted them via donedeal.ie regarding a motorbike sale. During the incident, which lasted three hours, Hurley was detained in a garage, bound to a chair, and subjected to waterboarding and threats of violence. Jonathan Dowdall's counsel, Mr Michael O'Higgins SC, submitted that the court should consider new issues before passing sentence. He disputed allegations that his client was a leading IRA member or a friend of Sinn Fein TDs Mary Lou McDonald and Gerry Adams, stating these claims were not accepted by the defendant. Counsel also noted that Hurley had previous convictions for dishonesty. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy agreed to adjourn the matter to allow the court to take these submissions into account. The report notes that neither defendant has previous convictions, and both expressed apologies for the violence inflicted on the injured party.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Former Sinn Fein councillor who waterboarded fraudster is not a friend of Adams and McDonald, court told. Charges or matters: threatening to kill Mr Hurley at the same place on the same date. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

January 15th, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
May 30th Adjournment
March 9th Adjournment
May 28th Incident
January 1st 2015 Incident
January 12th Incident
January 15th Hearing Or Sentence
January 12th 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
July 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
2017-05-19 Publication

Why: The court heard that Dowdall believed the victim, Alexander Hurley, was pretending to be a barrister and that he was seeking Dowdall's bank details in order to defraud him. Court evidence reported by CNI

Case subjects

Patrick Dowdall

Defendant

Charges: threatening to kill Mr Hurley at the same place on the same date (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Today Mr O 'Higgins submitted to the court that a number of issues had arisen and the court should take them into account before passing sentence.