Courts / Dublin / Report

Property magnate Jim Mansfield Jnr 'didn't write', alleged victim tells trial

Date
2020-11-13
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

A witness at the Special Criminal Court has testified that property magnate Jim Mansfield Jnr could not have written a note allegedly used during an alleged kidnapping in Dublin. Martin Byrne, a former employee, told the three-judge court that a piece of paper handed to a vehicle driver bore someone else's handwriting. Mr Byrne claims Mr Mansfield Jnr orchestrated his false imprisonment by arranging meetings with paramilitary groups. He described being taken by seven men, including former paramilitaries Dessie O'Hare and Declan Duffy, after a warehouse meeting in 2015. Mr Byrne, now in the Witness Protection Programme, said he was assaulted and later threatened at his home address, known as the Towers in Saggart, County Dublin. Under cross-examination, he rejected suggestions he was fabricating evidence or concealing information when he initially declined to speak with gardaí at the scene. Mr Mansfield Jnr, aged fifty-three, denies conspiracy to falsely imprison Mr Byrne and attempting to pervert the course of justice. The trial continues before Mr Justice Alexander Owens and two other judges. Jim Mansfield Jnr pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Property magnate Jim Mansfield Jnr 'didn't write', alleged victim tells trial. Charges or matters: both offences. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: Mr Condon put it to the witness that he had invented the piece of paper in order to implicate this man. CNI source report

Case subjects

Jim Mansfield Jnr

Accused

Charges: both offences (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Special Criminal Court
Address Area
  • Keatings Park
  • Keating's Park
  • Newcastle Road
Secondary Mention
Journey Or Route
  • Keatings Park
Facility
  • Tasaggart House
  • Finnstown House
Residence

Topics

Stage Sentence

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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