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Jim Mansfield Jnr pleads not guilty to false imprisonment, perversion of justice
Summary
Businessman Jim Mansfield Jnr, aged 52, pleaded not guilty to false imprisonment and perversion of justice charges before the Special Criminal Court. He is accused of conspiring to falsely imprison Martin Byrne between 1 January and 30 June 2015, and of directing Patrick Byrne to destroy CCTV footage to pervert justice regarding Byrne's false imprisonment at Finnstown House Hotel from 9 to 12 June 2015. The court heard that Byrne is now in the Witness Protection Programme. Mansfield appeared in a navy suit with family members, while defence counsel Bernard Condon SC argued that an employee isolated due to Covid‑19 could be a defence witness. The judge ruled the employee was not entitled to attend. The Director of Public Prosecutions noted disclosure issues and protected witnesses, and the case was postponed to Tuesday, with the trial expected to last three weeks. Mansfield remains on bail with conditions including weekly Garda sign‑ons and a €10,000 surety.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jim Mansfield Jnr pleads not guilty to false imprisonment, perversion of justice. Charges or matters: charges of false imprisonment and perversion of justice at the Special Criminal Court this morning; conspiring with one or more persons to falsely imprison Martin Byrne on a date unknown between January 1, 2015 and June 30, 2015, both dates inclusive; both counts on the indictment. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 1, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 30, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 9, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 12, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2020-10-23 Publication
Why: Mr Condon asked the court to be "at least receptive" to his client's position and explained that the employee may be a defence witness in the case. Defence account reported by CNI
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: charges of false imprisonment and perversion of justice at the Special Criminal Court this morning; conspiring with one or more persons to falsely imprison Martin Byrne on a date unknown between January 1, 2015 and June 30, 2015, both dates inclusive; both counts on the indictment (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Mr Justice Owens, sitting with Judge Sinead Ni Chulachain and Judge James Faughnan, remanded the accused man on continuing bail to appear before the court again on Tuesday morning.
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- Tasaggart House
- Finnstown House
- Newcastle Road
- week at Lucan Garda Station
- Lucan
Topics
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