Courts / Cavan / Report

Cyril McGuinness was 'like a crazy bastard', Lunney accused told gardai

Summary

The Special Criminal Court trial of Luke O'Reilly, Alan O'Brien, Darren Redmond, and Cyril McGuinness continued before Mr Justice Tony Hunt, with Judges Gerard Griffin and David McHugh. All four accused have pleaded not guilty to the alleged false imprisonment and intentional causing of serious harm to businessman Kevin Lunney at Drumbrade, Ballinagh, Co Cavan, on September 17, 2019. The court heard evidence from Detective Garda Sean O'Brien regarding interviews with Mr O'Reilly, who was arrested in November 2019. Mr O'Reilly stated he did not recognise a Renault Kangoo van allegedly used by the other accused and claimed he had no knowledge that Mr Lunney was held in a trailer on his land. He described Mr McGuinness, whom he knew as "Dublin Jimmy," as "not a good yoke" and "like a big crazy bastard," adding that he was "actually shocked" to learn of the incident. Mr O'Reilly testified that his only contact with Mr McGuinness around the time of the alleged abduction was to discuss a vehicle import. The prosecution alleges Mr Lunney was threatened, assaulted, and forced to resign from Quinn Industrial Holdings. The trial is ongoing, with the matter not yet finalised.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Cyril McGuinness was 'like a crazy bastard', Lunney accused told gardai. Charges or matters: false imprisonment; intentionally causing serious harm. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• November 2019 Incident
• September 17, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
• 24 November Other
• 2021-07-21 Publication

Why: " He said he used McGuinness because he could get parts from the UK that were difficult to get in Ireland. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report