Courts / Cavan / Report

Final day of evidence in Kevin Lunney abduction trial

Summary

The Special Criminal Court heard closing arguments on the final day of the trial of four men charged with the abduction and assault of Kevin Lunney, a Quinn Industrial Holdings director, at Drumbrade, Ballinagh, County Cavan on September 17, 2019. The 40-day trial opened in June. Defence counsel for Luke O'Reilly, aged 68 from Mullahoran Lower, Kilcogy, County Cavan, submitted that the prosecution had not established beyond reasonable doubt that his client knew of the alleged offences. Counsel argued that the evidence showed Mr O'Reilly had been kept uninformed of events and that his purchase of bleach from a local shop was explainable. The three other accused, identified as a 40-year-old man known as YZ, Alan O'Brien aged 40, and Darren Redmond aged 27, both from East Wall, Dublin, have also pleaded not guilty to false imprisonment and intentionally causing serious harm. The court will deliver its verdict on October 22. The trial was presided over by Justice Tony Hunt, Judge Gerard Griffin, and Judge David McHugh.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Final day of evidence in Kevin Lunney abduction trial. 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:

• October 22 Hearing Or Sentence
• September 17, 2019 Other
• 2021-08-06 Publication

Why: Mr Lynn said the theory put forward by the prosecution was that there was no communication between Mr O'Reilly and the other three accused because McGuinness deliberately kept them apart so that Mr O'Reilly did not know what was happening. Prosecution account reported by CNI

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