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Former INLA terrorists were on 'frolic of their own', defence tell Mansfield trial

Summary

The Special Criminal Court heard closing submissions in the trial of Jim Mansfield Jnr, who has pleaded not guilty to conspiring with one or more persons to falsely imprison Martin Byrne between January 1 and June 30, 2015. He also denies attempting to pervert the course of justice by directing Patrick Byrne to destroy CCTV footage. Defence counsel Bernard Condon SC argued that former INLA members Dessie O'Hare and Declan Duffy were on a "frolic of their own" and that there is insufficient evidence to establish a conspiracy involving Mr Mansfield. He contended that the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Mr Mansfield knew of the plot or agreed to it. Prosecution counsel Shane Costelloe SC countered that evidence shows Mr Mansfield conspired with the two men, citing the arrangement of the meeting at Keating Park and the subsequent destruction of CCTV footage as indicators of his involvement. The three-judge court, presided over by Mr Justice Alex Owens, will deliver its judgement on the defence application to acquit tomorrow morning.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Former INLA terrorists were on 'frolic of their own', defence tell Mansfield trial. Charges or matters: conspiring with one or more persons to falsely imprison Martin Byrne on a date unknown between January 1, 2015 and June 30, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• January 1, 2015 Other
• June 30, 2015 Other
• June 9, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
• June 12, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2021-10-06 Publication

Why: It can't be anything other than an agreement because look at what unfolds. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report