Courts / Cavan / Report

Lunney kidnappers get combined 70 years

Date
2021-12-20

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Ballinagh

County
Cavan

Summary

Three men have been sentenced following their conviction for the abduction and assault of Kevin Lunney, a director of Quinn Industrial Holdings, at Drumbrade, Ballinagh, County Cavan on 17 September 2019. At the Special Criminal Court, a man identified as YZ received 30 years imprisonment, Alan O'Brien of East Wall, Dublin 3 was sentenced to 25 years, and Darren Redmond, also of East Wall, Dublin 3, received 18 years with the final three years suspended. Mr Justice Tony Hunt delivered the sentences, stating that life imprisonment was not imposed because the most severe penalties should be reserved for those who finance or benefit from such crimes. The judge noted Mr Lunney's composed testimony and described the assault as premeditated and casual brutality. Evidence showed Mr Lunney was forced into a vehicle, taken to a container where he was threatened, tortured with bleach, beaten, and had letters carved into his chest before being abandoned on a country road.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Lunney kidnappers get combined 70 years. Charges or matters: false imprisonment; intentionally causing harm. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted

When:

September 17, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
2021-12-20 Publication

Why: Delivering the judgement of the court, Mr Justice Hunt said YZ was hired by known criminal Cyril McGuinness because McGuinness knew YZ had the "capacity to terrorise and injure Mr Lunney" and could be "relied on to carry out the criminal enterprise". CNI source report

Case subjects

Alan O'Brien

Co Accused

Charges: false imprisonment; intentionally causing harm (Proven)

Finding: Convicted

Outcome: Convicted; YZ's co-accused Alan O'Brien received a 25-year sentence while the youngest of the three accused, Darren Redmond, will serve 18 years with the final three suspended.

Darren Redmond

Accused

Charges: false imprisonment; intentionally causing harm (Proven)

Finding: Convicted

Outcome: Convicted