Courts / Dublin / Report

Son of man abducted by gang tells trial nothing going on in his life that could have caused criminals to visit

Date
2014-10-23

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Arcade manager Calin Cucura, aged 31, pleaded not guilty to charges of false imprisonment and a threat to kill Sean Cummins on 12 January 2010. Cummins, a full‑time care assistant, was allegedly taken from a family newsagent in Coolock by four men, including Cucura, and held in a container where they demanded money from his family. Cummins later claimed the captors released him after his family complied with the gang's cash demand. Dean Cummins, the victim's son, testified that his father was abducted because he was the first to approach the gang when they entered the shop, and that his father had intended to protect other family members. The trial, presided over by Judge Patricia Ryan with a jury of four women and eight men, will resume tomorrow for further evidence.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Son of man abducted by gang tells trial nothing going on in his life that could have caused criminals to visit. Charges or matters: falsely imprisoning and making a threat to kill Mr Cummins on January 12, 2010. Procedural stage: trial

When:

January 12, 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
2014-10-23 Publication

Why: Mr Cummins, who works as a full time care assistant, said this man returned a while later and told him they were going to release him because his family were cooperating and were paying the gang's alleged cash demand. CNI source report