Jim Mansfield jnr pleads not guilty to false imprisonment conspiracy

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

Jim Mansfield jnr pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit false imprisonment and attempting to pervert the course of justice. The proceedings at the Special Criminal Court were reported on 6 November 2020.

He was charged with conspiring with one or more people to falsely imprison Martin Byrne on an unknown date between 1 January and 30 June 2015, inclusive. The second charge alleged that he directed Patrick Byrne to destroy recorded CCTV footage, intending to pervert the course of justice in relation to Martin Byrne’s false imprisonment at Finnstown House Hotel in Lucan between 9 and 12 June 2015.

The prosecution’s case was that Mr Mansfield effectively delivered Martin Byrne into the arms of men who falsely imprisoned him and his family.

Giving evidence on 6 November 2020, Martin Byrne said Mr Mansfield arranged meetings with the New IRA and the INLA to help recover parts of his family’s former property portfolio.

The trial was continuing before Mr Justice Alexander Owens, sitting with Judge Sinead Ni Chulachain and Judge James Faughnan.