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Investigation was biggest in garda history, tiger kidnapping trial hears

Summary

The trial of Niall Byrne, Mark Farrelly, Christopher Corcoran, and David Byrne continues before Judge Melanie Greally at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. All four defendants have pleaded not guilty to the alleged false imprisonment of four Richardson family members at Ashcroft, Raheny, on March 13 and 14, 2005, and the alleged robbery of Paul Richardson and Securicor of €2.28 million on March 14, 2005. Retired Garda Chief Superintendent Nicholas Kenneally testified that he issued 66 search warrants during what was then the largest Garda investigation in history. He confirmed issuing warrants for specific Dublin addresses where investigators believed evidence, including weapons and phones, might be found. Kenneally denied that the extensive warranting constituted a "fishing expedition," stating he was satisfied evidence related to the robbery existed at each location. He acknowledged that one resident of a searched home was never prosecuted. Defense counsel noted that legal provisions in the warrants are now deemed unconstitutional. Kenneally denied issuing a specific warrant for the Richardson home but agreed investigators would have processed the premises as a crime scene. The matter is currently at the sentencing stage, though the trial continues with an enlarged jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Investigation was biggest in garda history, tiger kidnapping trial hears. Charges or matters: robbing Paul Richardson and Securicor of €2.28 million on March 14, 2005; the false imprisonment of four members of the Richardson family at their home at Ashcroft, Raheny, Dublin, on March 13 and 14, 2005. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• March 13 Hearing Or Sentence
• March 14, 2005 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2018-03-06 Publication

Why: Mr Kenneally agreed with Ciaran O'Loughlin SC, defending Mr Farrelly, that he issued the warrants because gardaí believed they would find evidence from the robbery at these locations. Defence account reported by CNI

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Theft

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Read the original CNI report