Kevin Lunney trial due to begin on May 31 after delays

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

The trial of four men accused of abducting and assaulting Kevin Lunney was due to begin on 31 May 2021 after almost five months of delays. The case was before the Special Criminal Court for mention on 21 May.

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

The trial had repeatedly been delayed because of public health concerns arising from Covid-19 and the number of witnesses. It had originally been fixed for 11 January. A March start date was later replaced with 31 May.

Mr Justice Tony Hunt said the May date would allow nine weeks of the planned 12-week trial to proceed before the court vacation, with a possible resumption in September. He also allowed the fourth accused to retain his anonymity.

The court had previously been told that more than 50,000 documents needed to be digitally rendered and that there had been issues with disclosure.