Jonathan and Patrick Dowdall admitted false imprisonment and threat to kill

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

Jonathan Dowdall and his father, Patrick Dowdall, admitted falsely imprisoning and threatening to kill Alexander Hurley in January 2015. The proceedings were reported on 19 May 2017.

The Special Criminal Court had been due to sentence both men on 19 May, but Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy said it would hear further submissions instead. Sentencing was adjourned, with submissions scheduled for 30 May 2017.

The report said Mr Hurley went to the Dowdalls’ property on the Navan Road in Dublin to buy Jonathan Dowdall’s motorbike. He was attacked after Jonathan Dowdall researched him online and decided he was a conman. Videos showed Jonathan Dowdall pouring water over Mr Hurley, who was tied to a chair. Patrick Dowdall threatened to pull off his fingers with pliers.

Jonathan Dowdall’s counsel said his client accepted that what he did was wrong but disputed evidence that the ordeal lasted three hours, references to IRA membership and friendships with Sinn Féin figures, and a claim that he had threatened Mr Hurley’s family. Counsel also questioned Mr Hurley’s credibility, citing previous dishonesty convictions.

Prosecuting counsel Vincent Heneghan said the duration, mention of the IRA and threats to Mr Hurley’s family were part of the case, had not been contested and were being raised too late. In a victim impact statement, Mr Hurley said his psychological injuries would never completely heal.