Courts / Dublin / Report

Decision to refuse access to Quinn investigation warrant information is upheld

Date
2017-12-18

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

A man from Co Dublin has lost his appeal against a High Court ruling that refused him access to information supporting a garda search warrant. Francis McGuinness sought the documentation in connection with a civil action against the Garda Commissioner and State regarding a search of his premises, a vehicle storage yard at Cloghran, conducted in August 2014. The search was carried out as part of an investigation into a serious fire attack on the Quinn group packaging plant at Ballyconnell, Co Cavan, in March 2014. A modified jeep was driven into the plant's lobby, causing approximately €600,000 damage with over thirty employees present. Gardaí claimed public interest and informer privilege over the warrant application details, citing risk to confidential sources. The Court of Appeal upheld the High Court's decision, with Mr Justice John Edwards stating Mr McGuinness had failed to demonstrate any infirmity in the original judgment or relevance of the disputed document.