Courts / Dublin / Report
Ban on naming criminal who kidnapped and tortured Kevin Lunney is lifted
Summary
The High Court has lifted a naming ban on Alan Harte, allowing the media to identify him following his sentencing. Harte, 40, pleaded not guilty to charges of false imprisonment and intentionally causing serious harm to Kevin Lunney at Drumbrade, Ballinagh, Co Cavan, on September 17, 2019. On December 20, Mr Justice Tony Hunt sentenced Harte to 30 years' imprisonment for torturing and falsely imprisoning Mr Lunney. The judge described Harte as the ringleader who inflicted most of the serious injuries, including knife wounds to the face and torso, and rejected mitigation based on Harte's childhood trauma, noting he had previously used the same narrative to mitigate his sentence for helping dispose of Peter Gunn's body. Harte was previously convicted of impeding the garda investigation in the Gunn case, receiving a six-year sentence with the final three years suspended. Kastriot Boza, 48, also pleaded guilty to impeding the garda investigation in that matter. The naming ban had been in place due to Harte's pending trial for the murder of Anthony Rogers, a charge the DPP dropped after the judge ruled key CCTV identification evidence inadmissible. Harte's lawyers had argued the ban should remain to protect his right to a fair trial in other unrelated proceedings, but the court lifted the restriction.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Ban on naming criminal who kidnapped and tortured Kevin Lunney is lifted. Charges or matters: impeding the garda investigation; 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
- November 6, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 4, 2009 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 20 Incident
- 2022-01-18 Publication
Why: Harte's identity was protected because he had been due to go on trial at the Central Criminal Court accused of murdering 61-year-old Anthony Rogers. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: impeding the garda investigation; false imprisonment and intentionally causing serious harm to Mr Lunney at Drumbrade, Ballinagh, Co Cavan, on September 17, 2019 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: On December 20 last, the Lunney trial concluded when Mr Justice Tony Hunt sentenced Harte to 30 years' imprisonment for torturing and falsely imprisoning Mr Lunney. He said that Harte had used the same story to mitigate his sentence following his conviction for helping to dispose of Peter Gunn's body and couldn't rely on the same mitigation twice.
Convicted Person
Charges: impeding the garda investigation; false imprisonment and intentionally causing serious harm to Mr Lunney at Drumbrade, Ballinagh, Co Cavan, on September 17, 2019 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Places mentioned
- High Court
- Central Criminal Court
- Special Criminal Court
- Cork Street
- Dunsoghly Lane
- Newgrove Avenue
- Dublin
Topics
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