Courts / Cavan / Report

Circumstances 'suspicious', lawyers for Lunney accused concede

Summary

At the Special Criminal Court in Dublin, closing arguments concluded on Wednesday in the trial of four men accused of the abduction and assault of businessman Kevin Lunney in Cavan on 17 September 2019. The accused, identified as YZ, Alan O'Brien, Darren Redmond and Luke O'Reilly, have all pleaded not guilty to false imprisonment and intentionally causing serious harm. Defence counsel conceded that circumstances surrounding their clients appeared suspicious but argued this fell short of the proof required for conviction. They challenged the prosecution's reliance on circumstantial evidence, including DNA findings in a Renault Kangoo van, mobile phone location data, and CCTV identification. A central defence submission questioned whether forensic evidence could have been compromised, given unclear access logs at the forensic examination facility in Santry. Counsel also highlighted inconsistencies in witness identification and gaps in telephone evidence the prosecution relied upon. The three-judge court is expected to deliver its verdict following closing arguments.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Circumstances 'suspicious', lawyers for Lunney accused concede. 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
• February 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
• October 23, 2019 Other
• October 23 Other
• October 29 Other
• 2021-08-04 Publication

Why: They did not see an area of brownish red marking, even though Det Gda Frazer was specifically looking for blood stains because they are good receptors for finger prints. 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