Courts / Fermanagh / Report

'A decent man': the kidnap and torture of Kevin Lunney

Date
2021-12-20

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Derrylin

Summary

Kevin Lunney, a director of Quinn Industrial Holdings, gave evidence at the Special Criminal Court detailing his abduction and assault in County Fermanagh in September 2019. Mr Lunney described being forced into a vehicle, transported to a remote farmyard near Ballina, County Mayo, where he was beaten, slashed with a knife, and doused with bleach. He was later discovered on a roadside with a fractured shin, knife wounds, and hypothermia. The trial established that the attack was connected to Mr Lunney's directorship and litigation involvement. Three men were convicted: the court identified one as YZ, aged 40, Alan O'Brien, aged 40, and Darren Redmond, aged 27. Evidence included CCTV footage, mobile phone data, and DNA recovered from a vehicle used in the crime. Luke O'Reilly, aged 68, was acquitted after the court found insufficient evidence he knew the specific nature of the offences, despite ruling he likely provided local assistance. Mr Justice Tony Hunt described Mr Lunney as a decent man subjected to brutal violence intended to prevent him conducting lawful business.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'A decent man': the kidnap and torture of Kevin Lunney. Charges or matters: false imprisonment; intentionally causing harm; kidnapping; assault. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Acquitted

When: