Mansfield Jr pleads not guilty to conspiracy
BUSINESSMAN Jim Mansfield Jr has denied charges of conspiracy to falsely imprison a man and perversion of justice.
Mr Mansfield is charged with conspiring with one or more persons to f alsely i mprison Martin Byrne on a date unknown between January 1, 2015, and June 30, 2015, inclusive.
The non-jury court heard yesterday that Mr Byrne is now in the Witness Protection Programme.
The accused is also charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice by directing Patrick Byrne to destroy recorded CCTV footage, with the alleged intention of perverting the course of public justice in relation to the false imprisonment of Martin Byrne, at Finnstown House Hotel, Newcastle Road, Lucan, Co. Dublin, between June 9, 2015 and June 12, 2015.
Arraigned on the two charges before the Special Criminal Court yesterday, Mr Mansfield, of Tasaggart House, Garters Lane, Saggart, Co. Dublin, pleaded not guilty to both counts on the indictment.
Dressed in a navy suit, white shirt and blue tie, Mr Mansfield, 53, attended the three-judge court with three members of his family.
Defence counsel Bernard Condon informed the court that an employee of Mr Mansfield with very extensive knowledge of issues in the case was isolating as a result of a Covid-19 issue. He said Mr Mansfield had been a close contact of this person and if they tested positive for Covid, he would then have to self-isolate.
Presiding judge Alexander Owens pointed out that Mr Mansfield was represented by a solicitor and counsel in the case and said the employee was not necessary for his defence.
Furthermore, Shane Costelloe SC, on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions, asked the court not to hear any substantive matters in relation to the trial yesterday and put the matter back until Tuesday of next week due to very substantive disclosure issues.
Judge Owens, sitting with two other judges, remanded the accused on bail to appear before the court again on Tuesday.
Remanded the accused on bail