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False imprisonment 'was all Mansfield business', alleged victim tells trial

Summary

The Special Criminal Court trial of Jim Mansfield Jnr, who is accused of conspiring to falsely imprison Martin Byrne and attempting to pervert the course of justice, continues before a non-jury court. Mansfield Jnr has pleaded not guilty to both counts. During cross-examination, alleged victim Martin Byrne, who is in the Witness Protection Programme, testified that the incident was "all Mansfield business" and that Mansfield Jnr was present when he was taken prisoner by a gang including Dessie O'Hare and Declan Duffy. Byrne's son, Brandon Byrne, also gave evidence, describing how his parents were held at The Towers while security guard John Roche was assaulted outside. The court heard that Christopher Maguire, who pleaded guilty to falsely imprisoning Martin and Lisa Byrne on June 9, 2015, received a three-year suspended sentence. Additionally, Daniel Kane, who pleaded guilty to assaulting John Roche and falsely imprisoning Martin Byrne, was sentenced in April 2018 to five years' imprisonment with the final year suspended. Background evidence noted that James O'Gorman was previously convicted of defrauding a company director out of €54,000 in 2007. The trial is ongoing, with proceedings continuing before Mr Justice Alexander Owens and two other judges.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: False imprisonment 'was all Mansfield business', alleged victim tells trial. Charges or matters: falsely imprisoning Lisa Byrne in the same place on the same date; assaulting John Roche, causing him harm, at The Towers, Garter Lane, Saggart, Co Dublin on June 9, 2015 as well as falsely imprisoning Mr Byrne on the same occasion; defrauding a company director out of €54,000 at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in 2007. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted

When:

• January 1, 2015 Other
• June 30, 2015 Other
• June 9, 2015 Other
• June 12, 2015 Other
• June 8 Other
• June 9 Other
• April 2018 Other
• 2020-11-18 Publication

Why: Mr Byrne said: "I've told the truth of what went on and Jimmy knew exactly what went on because he was standing there all the time. CNI source report

Case subjects

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Read the original CNI report