Courts / Dublin / Report

€2m tiger kidnapping was "heinous and inhumane", victim tells court

Date
2018-07-09

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Judge Melanie Greally adjourned the sentencing of Niall Byrne, Mark Farrelly, Christopher Corcoran, and David Byrne until July 16, remanding them in continuing custody. The men were convicted by a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court jury for their roles in the €2.08 million robbery of Paul Richardson and Securicor on March 14, 2005, and the false imprisonment of the Richardson family at their Raheny home on March 13 and 14, 2005. All four defendants had pleaded not guilty. The jury convicted Farrelly, Corcoran, and David Byrne of robbery and false imprisonment. Niall Byrne was convicted of conspiracy to robbery, while the jury failed to reach a majority verdict on a kidnapping charge against him. This was the fifth trial for the case; previous convictions for Farrelly and Corcoran were overturned in 2012 due to unconstitutional search warrants, and subsequent acquittals were reversed by the Court of Appeal. During the hearing, victim Paul Richardson described the crime as "heinous and inhumane" and driven by greed. His wife and sons also submitted impact statements detailing the long-term trauma. The court noted Farrelly had 25 previous convictions, while Corcoran, David Byrne, and Niall Byrne had prior records for minor offences. The matter was adjourned for sentence.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: €2m tiger kidnapping was "heinous and inhumane", victim tells court. Charges or matters: robbing Mr Richardson and Securicor of €2.08 million on March 14, 2005 and to the false imprisonment of the Richardson family at their home at Ashcroft, Raheny on March 13 and 14, 2005; conspiracy to robbery. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted

When:

March 14, 2005 Hearing Or Sentence
March 13 Other
July 16 Adjournment
Sunday March 13, 2005 Other
2018-07-09 Publication

Why: He said he could not leave the court after giving his evidence because he promised his family "I would keep going until justice prevailed". CNI source report

Case subjects

Christopher Corcoran

Convicted Person

Charges: robbing Mr Richardson and Securicor of €2.08 million on March 14, 2005 and to the false imprisonment of the Richardson family at their home at Ashcroft, Raheny on March 13 and 14, 2005; conspiracy to robbery (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: Farrelly, Corcoran and Jason Kavanagh, of Corduff Avenue, Blanchardstown, were convicted and jailed in 2009 but were released in 2012 after the convictions were overturned by the Court of Criminal Appeal on the back of a Supreme Court ruling that search warrants used in this and other investigations were unconstitutional.; Following a sentence hearing today, Judge Melanie Greally said she needed time to consider the case and remanded the men in continuing custody until July 16, next for sentence.

David Byrne

Convicted Person

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: Following a sentence hearing today, Judge Melanie Greally said she needed time to consider the case and remanded the men in continuing custody until July 16, next for sentence.

Mark Farrelly

Convicted Person

Plea: Not guilty

Niall Byrne

Convicted Person

Plea: Not guilty

Finding: Convicted

Outcome: Convicted; Following a sentence hearing today, Judge Melanie Greally said she needed time to consider the case and remanded the men in continuing custody until July 16, next for sentence.