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Tiger kidnapper has sentence increased to 15 years
Summary
Mark McCarthy, aged 32, had his nine‑year prison sentence for the tiger kidnapping of the Nawn family increased to 15 years after the Director of Public Prosecutions appealed. The kidnapping, which took place on 1–2 August 2011, involved the abduction of Warren and Jean Marie Nawn and their 10‑week‑old baby in County Louth and County Dublin. McCarthy was found guilty of false imprisonment and the theft of €661,125 from the Post Office in Drogheda, an amount that has never been recovered. The Court of Appeal described the original sentence as "unduly lenient" and, after considering mitigating factors such as alleged duress and a drug debt, imposed a 15‑year term. The decision was made by a three‑judge panel headed by Mr Justice George Birmingham. The case remains a rare example of a tiger kidnapping in Ireland.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Tiger kidnapper has sentence increased to 15 years. Charges or matters: the false imprisonment of Warren and Jean Marie Nawn as well as their ten week old baby in Co Louth and Co Dublin between August 1st and 2nd 2011. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- August 1st Hearing Or Sentence
- May 19, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2018-03-23 Publication
Why: McCarthy was entitled to mitigation in that he had been a heroin addict, his life was under threat because of a drug debt, there was a degree of duress present and he was not benefitting financially from his involvement. CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: the false imprisonment of Warren and Jean Marie Nawn as well as their ten week old baby in Co Louth and Co Dublin between August 1st and 2nd 2011 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: McCarthy was sentenced to nine years imprisonment by Judge Patricia Ryan on May 19, 2017. His sentence was found to be "unduly lenient" by the Court of Appeal today, following an appeal brought by the Director of Public Prosecutions and McCarthy was given a new sentence of 15 years.
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