Courts / Cavan / Report
'Wouldn't be out of place in a Tarantino movie': Lunney kidnappers challenge sentences for 'animalistic' torture and abduction
Summary
Three men, Alan Harte, Alan O'Brien, and Darren Redmond, who were found guilty of false imprisonment and intentionally causing harm to Kevin Lunney, have appealed their sentences, arguing they were excessive and out of kilter with comparator cases. Harte was sentenced to 30 years in prison, O'Brien received a 25-year sentence, and Redmond was sentenced to 18 years with the final three suspended. Harte's legal team described his 30-year term as 'a life sentence by a different name,' while O'Brien and Redmond's lawyers suggested the sentences imposed on their clients were too high and failed to properly consider mitigating factors. At the appeal hearing, Harte's senior counsel, Michael O'Higgins, argued that the sentence was 'out of kilter' with other cases and that the Special Criminal Court had set a headline sentence of 30 years without 'very much surrounding structure indicating how that number was arrived at.' O'Higgins also highlighted comparator cases, including that of former Sinn Féin councillor Jonathan Dowdall and former Formula 1 engineer Stefan Schaufler, to support his argument. Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Garret Baker SC, defended the sentences, stating that the Special Criminal Court had 'met fire with fire' in a lawful way by imposing sentences that reflected the 'depravity and horror' of the attack, which he described as 'animalistic, supremely choreographed and meticulously planned.' The matter was adjourned for further consideration.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Wouldn't be out of place in a Tarantino movie': Lunney kidnappers challenge sentences for 'animalistic' torture and abduction. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- September 17, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2026-06-30 Publication
Why: In response, Garret Baker SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, said the sentences handed down in this case were "highly significant" because they were designed to reflect the "depravity and horror" inflicted on Kevin Lunney that day. Prosecution account reported by CNI
Case subjects
Defendant
Outcome: Harte's legal team said today that his 30-year term was "a life sentence by a different name", while O'Brien and Redmond's lawyers suggested the sentences imposed on their clients were too high and failed to properly consider mitigating factors. He said the incident wouldn't be "out of place in a Tarantino movie" and argued Harte's term of imprisonment, while significant, was "appropriate".
Convicted Person
Outcome: Harte's legal team said today that his 30-year term was "a life sentence by a different name", while O'Brien and Redmond's lawyers suggested the sentences imposed on their clients were too high and failed to properly consider mitigating factors. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison, while O'Brien received a 25-year sentence and Redmond was sentenced to 18 years with the final three suspended.
Defendant
Outcome: Harte's legal team said today that his 30-year term was "a life sentence by a different name", while O'Brien and Redmond's lawyers suggested the sentences imposed on their clients were too high and failed to properly consider mitigating factors. Mr O'Higgins said a distinction had to be made "between an engineer and his rag", arguing that Harte, O'Brien and Redmond "were not the brains directing" the plan and were not "the people attempting to reap rewards". "Imposing a sentence of 30 years is, to my mind, a life sentence by a different name," said Mr O'Higgins. "The sentence here is excessive and there are identifiable errors," he said.
Defendant
Outcome: Kevin Lunney, subjected him to "animalistic" levels of "protracted torture" and carved the letters QIH into his chest in an act of "lawlessness incarnate" have argued their sentences were excessive and "out of kilter" with comparator cases. Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions however, said the Special Criminal Court had "met fire with fire" in a lawful way by imposing sentences that reflected the "depravity and horror" of the attack, which he described as "animalistic, supremely choreographed and meticulously planned." Garret Baker SC, for the DPP, said the carving of QIH into Mr Lunney's chest was an act of "gross and engineered depravity" designed to send a message not only to the victim but to his fellow company directors.
Convicted Person
Outcome: He said the headline sentence nominated in that case was 16 years.
Places mentioned
- Shelmalier Road
- Caledon Road
- Special Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- The Special Criminal Court
Topics
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