Courts / Cavan / Report

Lunney trial hears of movements of van allegedly used in abduction

Summary

The Special Criminal Court heard evidence regarding a Renault Kangoo van allegedly used in the abduction of businessman Kevin Lunney. Witness James Maguire testified that he purchased the vehicle for €400 from a man known as "David" on October 23, 2019, before it was seized by gardai. Prosecution counsel Sean Guerin SC stated that forensic examiners found blood with DNA matching Mr. Lunney on a van door and DNA matching one accused on the driver's seat. The court also heard from police analysts who compared CCTV footage of the van's movements on September 17, 2019, with mobile phone data attributed to two of the accused. Mr. Lunney testified that he was bundled into a car boot, taken to a container where he was threatened to resign from Quinn Industrial Holdings, and subjected to severe physical abuse, including having his leg broken and letters cut into his chest. He was later left on a country road in Co Cavan. Alan O'Brien, Darren Redmond, and Luke O'Reilly, along with a 40-year-old man identified as YZ, have all pleaded not guilty to false imprisonment and intentionally causing serious harm to Mr. Lunney at Drumbrade, Ballinagh, Co Cavan on September 17, 2019. The trial continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt, Judge Gerard Griffin, and Judge David McHugh.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Lunney trial hears of movements of van allegedly used in abduction. 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:

• September 17, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
• October 24, 2019 Other
• October 23 Other
• October 23, 2019 Other
• December 12, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
• December 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2021-07-14 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report