Four men accused of imprisoning Kevin Lunney have trial adjournment bid rejected

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

The Special Criminal Court rejected an application to adjourn the trial of four men accused of falsely imprisoning and assaulting Kevin Lunney. The ruling was made on 7 December 2020.

Luke O’Reilly, Darren Redmond, Alan O’Brien and a fourth man who cannot be named for legal reasons are charged with false imprisonment and assault causing serious harm to Mr Lunney at Drumbrade, Ballinagh, County Cavan, on 17 September 2019.

Mr Justice Tony Hunt presided at the three-judge court, sitting with Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Michael Walsh. The trial was scheduled to begin on 11 January 2021 and was expected to last 12 weeks.

Defence counsel Michael O'Higgins SC, acting for the unnamed man, advanced four grounds for an adjournment, which the other three accused adopted. They concerned uncertainty over mobile-phone data law, High Court challenges to the court’s jurisdiction, the volume of disclosure and DNA evidence found on a Renault Kangoo van that was damaged by fire while in garda custody. He said the garda ombudsman was investigating the fire and suggested waiting for the outcome.

Mr Justice Hunt said there was no basis to adjourn the trial on those grounds. The case was listed for mention on 21 December at 12.30pm.