Courts / Meath / Report
Court accepts former Sinn Fein Councillor told victim he was in IRA and threatened family
Summary
The Special Criminal Court held a Newton hearing to resolve factual disputes in the case of Jonathan Dowdall (38) and his father Patrick Dowdall (59) over the alleged false imprisonment and waterboarding of Alexander Hurley. The court considered evidence that Jonathan Dowdall claimed to be a member of the IRA and threatened Hurley's family, while Patrick Dowdall denied making such claims. Hurley testified that he was detained at the Dowdalls' Navan Road home on 15 January 2015, that he was held in a garage for about two hours, and that he was threatened with harm to his family if he reported the incident. The judge found the Dowdalls' evidence that the ordeal lasted only 30–40 minutes unconvincing, accepted that IRA claims were made by Jonathan Dowdall, and confirmed that threats were made to Hurley's family. The hearing concluded with the court directing that sentencing would take place the following day. Jonathan Dowdall pleaded guilty. Patrick Dowdall pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Court accepts former Sinn Fein Councillor told victim he was in IRA and threatened family. Charges or matters: threatening to kill Mr Hurley at the same place on the same date; one count of false imprisonment and one count of threatening to kill Mr Hurley. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 15th, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 12 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 14 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 15 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 2015 Other
- May 19 Adjournment
- 2017-05-31 Publication
Why: The court heard that Jonathan 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
Applicant
Charges: threatening to kill Mr Hurley at the same place on the same date; one count of false imprisonment and one count of threatening to kill Mr Hurley (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Earlier this month, the court adjourned the sentencing of Jonathan Dowdall and his father Patrick Dowdall after hearing submissions from Jonathan Dowdall's counsel Mr Michael O'Higgins SC.
Defendant
Charges: threatening to kill Mr Hurley at the same place on the same date; one count of false imprisonment and one count of threatening to kill Mr Hurley (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Earlier this month, the court adjourned the sentencing of Jonathan Dowdall and his father Patrick Dowdall after hearing submissions from Jonathan Dowdall's counsel Mr Michael O'Higgins SC.
Places mentioned
- The Special Criminal Court
- Special Criminal Court
- Navan Road
- Jonathan Dowdall's house
- Rotunda Hospital
- Dowdall's house
- Navan
- Navan Road
Topics
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