Courts / Louth / Report

DPP drops all charges against tiger kidnapping accused

Date
2019-06-19
Stage
Appeal
Primary locality
Drogheda
County
Louth

Summary

The Director of Public Prosecutions has dropped all charges against Jonathan Gill, who was accused of participating in the 2011 kidnapping of a Drogheda family. At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Vincent Heneghan SC informed Judge Karen O'Connor that the State was entering a nolle prosequi regarding three charges of false imprisonment and one of robbery. Gill, of Malahide Road, Swords, had pleaded not guilty to falsely imprisoning Warren Nawn, Jean Marie Nawn, and their ten-week-old baby between August 1 and August 2, 2011. The State alleged Gill was part of a group that held the family hostage before robbing €660,000 from the man's workplace. No reason was given for the decision to drop the case. This follows a previous trial collapse in 2017 due to juror misconduct concerns and a subsequent adjournment in May 2023 when a vital witness was unavailable in Australia. Gill remained on bail throughout the proceedings. Separately, Mark McCarthy, of Ballyfermot, was jailed for nine years after pleading guilty to the kidnapping; his sentence was later increased to 15 years following a successful appeal by prosecutors.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: DPP drops all charges against tiger kidnapping accused. Charges or matters: falsely imprisoning Warren Nawn, Jean Marie Nawn and their ten-week-old baby in Drogheda between August 1 and August 2, 2011. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

Why: No reason was given in court for the decision. CNI source report

Case subjects

Jonathan Gill

Accused

Charges: falsely imprisoning Warren Nawn, Jean Marie Nawn and their ten-week-old baby in Drogheda between August 1 and August 2, 2011 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: The trial date had been adjourned and set down for today.

Mark McCarthy

Appellant

Outcome: Mark McCarthy (32), of Elm Dale Crescent, Ballyfermot was jailed for nine years after pleading to the kidnapping.

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
Court Venue
  • At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
  • Dublin
  • Louth
  • Louth Circuit Criminal Court
Residence

Topics

Stage Appeal Theft

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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