Courts / Cavan / Report

Lunney accused complains DNA evidence was 'planted' on van that went on fire

Summary

Four men accused of falsely imprisoning and assaulting Quinn Industrial Holdings director Kevin Lunney appeared before the Special Criminal Court on 26 November to address an adjournment application. Luke O'Reilly, aged 66, from Mullahoran Lower, Kilcogy, County Cavan; Darren Redmond, aged 25, from East Wall, Dublin; Alan O'Brien, aged 39, also from East Wall, Dublin; and a fourth man who cannot be named for legal reasons, face charges relating to the alleged abduction and assault of Mr Lunney on 17 September 2019 in County Cavan. Defence counsel cited four grounds for postponing the scheduled January trial, including the volume of disclosure materials, pending High Court judicial review proceedings, ongoing Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission investigation into a fire that destroyed a van allegedly used in the alleged offence, and uncertainty regarding mobile phone data retention law. One defendant's legal team alleged DNA evidence had been planted on the Renault Kangoo van before it was destroyed. The State opposed the application, emphasising the serious nature of the allegations and the importance of proceeding with trial.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Lunney accused complains DNA evidence was 'planted' on van that went on fire. Charges or matters: false imprisonment; assault causing serious harm. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• September 17, 2019 Incident
• September 17 Incident
• January 11, 2021 Adjournment
• February 23 Adjournment
• December 7 Adjournment
• 2020-11-26 Publication

Why: He explained that one could see the electricals beginning to spark, a fire taking hold and destroying the premises on the footage. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Related court reports

• 'Wouldn't be out of place in a Tarantino movie': Lunney kidnappers challenge sentences for 'animalistic' torture and abduction
• Kevin Lunney kidnappers lose conviction appeals
• Kevin Lunney kidnapper claims Special Criminal Court conviction unconstitutional
• State urges court to uphold gang's conviction for kidnap and torture of Kevin Lunney
• Career criminal Harte must pay costs of Lunney abduction appeal
• Career Criminal who kidnapped and tortured Kevin Lunney fails in 'moot' appeal over non-jury trial

Read the original CNI report