Man accused of abducting Kevin Lunney wants charges dismissed

A DUBLIN man will apply to the Special Criminal Court later this month to dismiss charges against him of falsely imprisoning and assaulting Quinn Industrial Holdings (QIH) director Kevin Lunney.

Alan O’Brien, 39, with an address at Shelmalier Road, East Wall, Dublin 3, is charged with false imprisonment and assault causing serious harm.

Mr Lunney, 50, a father of six, was abducted near his home in Co. Fermanagh on the evening of September 17. The businessman’s leg was broken, he was doused in bleach and the letters QIH were carved into his chest during the two-and-a-half hour ordeal before he was dumped on a roadside in Co. Cavan.

Sean Guerin SC, prosecuting, told the non-jury court that Mr O’Brien’s case was listed yesterday morning for the purpose of a hearing under Section 4E of the Criminal Justice Act 1999 for the dismissal of a charge. However, Mr Guerin said he was making an application to adjourn the hearing.

In reply, Bernard Condon SC, for Mr O’Brien, said his client was ‘very anxious’ for the Section 4E application to be heard as soon as possible.

Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, fixed the hearing for July 29 and Mr O’Brien was remanded in custody.

The defendant’s co-accused are: Luke O’Reilly, 66, from Mullahoran Lower, Kilcogy, Co. Cavan; Darren Redmond, 25, from Caledon Road, East Wall, Dublin 3, and another man who cannot be named for legal reasons. They are also accused of the same offences.

Mr O’Reilly’s case was also mentioned yesterday before the three-judge court. His request for an extension to serve his alibi notice was granted. He and Mr Redmond were both granted High Court bail in April, despite garda objections.

The judge said the alleged abduction and assault constituted vicious, cruel and abhorrent behaviour. However, he added there was an entitlement to bail based on their presumed innocence.

The trial is set for January 11 next year at the Special Criminal Court.