Courts / Cavan / Report

Gardai devised 'extremely impressive" new ID method, Lunney trial hears

Date
2021-07-09
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Cavan
County
Cavan

Summary

The Special Criminal Court heard that gardaí employed an "extremely impressive" identification procedure when examining CCTV footage related to the abduction and assault of businessman Kevin Lunney in County Cavan on 17 September 2019. Inspector Stephen Mullen outlined the controlled process whereby officers with potential knowledge of persons in the footage were segregated, shown material without context, and recorded independently. Three men pleaded not guilty to false imprisonment and intentionally causing serious harm: a 40-year-old man identified as YZ, Alan O'Brien (40) of East Wall, Dublin, and Darren Redmond (27), also of East Wall. Luke O'Reilly (67) from Mullahoran Lower, Kilcogy, County Cavan, similarly entered not guilty pleas. Gardaí testified to identifying the accused at various locations including Dublin apartments and service stations. Physical evidence, including bleach bottles recovered from Mr O'Reilly's property and a recently positioned trailer at Drumbrade, was also presented. The trial continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt with Judges Gerard Griffin and David McHugh.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Gardai devised 'extremely impressive" new ID method, Lunney trial hears. Charges or matters: false imprisonment and intentionally causing serious harm to Mr Lunney at Drumbrade, Ballinagh, Co Cavan on September 17, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: The others, he said, had no growth underneath because the area had no access to light. CNI source report

Case subjects

Alan O'Brien

Defendant

Charges: false imprisonment and intentionally causing serious harm to Mr Lunney at Drumbrade, Ballinagh, Co Cavan on September 17, 2019 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Darren Redmond

Defendant

Charges: false imprisonment and intentionally causing serious harm to Mr Lunney at Drumbrade, Ballinagh, Co Cavan on September 17, 2019 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Luke O'Reilly

Defendant

Charges: false imprisonment and intentionally causing serious harm to Mr Lunney at Drumbrade, Ballinagh, Co Cavan on September 17, 2019 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Special Criminal Court
Residence
Journey Or Route
Garda Station
  • of Store Street Garda Station
  • Store Street
  • come to Store Street Garda Station
  • of Clones Garda Station
  • Clones
Address Area
  • Store Street

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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