Courts / Dublin / Report
Man took part in violent eviction with INLA terrorists
Summary
Jonathon Farrelly (33) of Lucan, Co Dublin, pleaded guilty to the false imprisonment of Martin Byrne and his wife Lisa Byrne, violent disorder, and the assault causing harm of John Roche, all occurring on June 9, 2015, at The Towers, Garter Lane, Saggart. Judge Orla Crowe adjourned the matter to allow time for consideration, remanding Farrelly in continuing custody until April 7 for sentence. The court heard that Farrelly was part of a group of seven men, including convicted murderer Declan Duffy and INLA member Dessie O'Hare, who forcibly evicted the Byrne family. Five co-accused were convicted in the Special Criminal Court in 2019. Desmond McGrath (50) of Tallaght, Dublin, who pleaded guilty to the same offences, was sentenced in February 2021 to four years imprisonment with the final 12 months suspended. Additionally, Jim Mansfield Junior was jailed for 18 months last month after being found guilty of attempting to pervert the course of justice for ordering the destruction of CCTV footage. Mansfield was acquitted of a separate charge of conspiracy to falsely imprison Byrne. Prosecution evidence detailed the violent nature of the incident, including injuries to Roche and threats made to Byrne, leading the family to enter the Witness Protection Programme. Defense counsel noted Farrelly was not a ringleader and has rehabilitated from drug addiction.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man took part in violent eviction with INLA terrorists. Charges or matters: false imprisonment; violent disorder; assault causing harm; attempting to pervert the course of justice. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 2015 Incident
- January 1, 2015 Adjournment
- June 30, 2015 Adjournment
- April 7 Adjournment
- June 9, 2015 Adjournment
- February 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2022-03-16 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: false imprisonment; violent disorder; assault causing harm (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Another man, Desmond McGrath (50) of Cushlawn Park, Tallaght, Dublin was sentenced by Ms Justice Karen O'Connor in February 2021 to four years imprisonment with the final 12 months suspended.
Convicted Person
Charges: attempting to pervert the course of justice (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Last month Jim Mansfield Junior was jailed by the Special Criminal Court for 18 months after it found he had ordered the destruction of CCTV footage showing him with Mr Byrne on the morning of the kidnapping.
Defendant
Charges: false imprisonment; violent disorder; assault causing harm (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: adjourned to allow her time to consider the case; remanded in continuing custody until April 7 next for sentence
Places mentioned
- Citywest Hotel. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Dublin
- Special Criminal Court
- Tasaggart House
- Garter Lane
- Saggart
- Garter Lane
Topics
Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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