Courts / Dublin / Report
Mansfield Jnr in 'mild intellectual disability' or borderline range, defence tell court
Summary
Jim Mansfield Jnr, a property magnate, faces sentencing at the Special Criminal Court for directing Patrick Byrne to destroy CCTV footage that showed Mansfield and former employee Martin Byrne leaving Finnstown House Hotel on 9 June 2015, the day Byrne was kidnapped by Dessie O'Hare and Declan 'Whacker' Duffy. Defence counsel Bernard Condon SC presented a psychologist's report indicating Mansfield operates at a mild intellectual disability or borderline range. Mansfield, 54, was acquitted of a separate conspiracy charge to falsely imprison Byrne. The court noted Mansfield's involvement with the New IRA and INLA in dealing with threats from traveller gangs and his efforts to recover assets lost in a crash. He has no prior convictions except a traffic offence over ten years ago, complied with bail conditions, and is a carer for his 78‑year‑old mother. The sentencing hearing will determine the final imposed term. Jim Mansfield Jnr pleaded not guilty and was found guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Mansfield Jnr in 'mild intellectual disability' or borderline range, defence tell court. Charges or matters: attempting to pervert the course of justice by directing Patrick Byrne to destroy recorded CCTV footage showing Mansfield Jnr with his former employee Martin Byrne departing from Finnstown Park Hotel, Newcastle Road, Lucan, Co Dublin on June 9 2015, when Mr Byrne was later kidnapped by former terrorists Dessie O'Hare and Declan 'Whacker' Duffy; 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. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- June 9 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 17 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 9, 2015 Incident
- January 1, 2015 Adjournment
- June 30, 2015 Adjournment
- June 12, 2015 Incident
- May 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2022-02-07 Publication
Why: James Mansfield wanted to suppress this footage because it connected him to events of June 9 2015". CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: attempting to pervert the course of justice by directing Patrick Byrne to destroy recorded CCTV footage showing Mansfield Jnr with his former employee Martin Byrne departing from Finnstown Park Hotel, Newcastle Road, Lucan, Co Dublin on June 9 2015, when Mr Byrne was later kidnapped by former terrorists Dessie O'Hare and Declan 'Whacker' Duffy; conspiring with one or more persons to falsely imprison Martin Byrne on a date unknown between January 1, 2015 and June 30, 2015 (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; Photo: Collins) Property magnate Jim Mansfield Jnr, who ordered the destruction of CCTV footage showing him with his former employee on the morning he was kidnapped by republican terrorists Dessie O'Hare and Declan 'Whacker' Duffy, will be sentenced later today at the Special Criminal Court. Mr Justice Owens, presiding, sitting with Judge Sinead Ni Chulachain and Judge James Faughnan, remanded Mansfield Jnr in custody until 1.20pm today, when he will be sentenced.; Mr Justice Owens, presiding, sitting with Judge Sinead Ni Chulachain and Judge James Faughnan, remanded Mansfield Jnr in custody until 1.20pm today, when he will be sentenced.
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- Finnstown House
- Tasaggart House
- Tassagart House
- Keatings Park
- Newcastle Road
- Eamonn O'Neill from Kildare Garda Station
- Kildare
- Keating Park
Topics
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