Four remanded in custody in connection with false imprisonment of QIH manager

A Cavan pensioner is one of four men charged and remanded in custody in connection with the abduction and attack on Quinn Industrial Holdings manager Kevin Lunney.
Luke O’Reilly (66) with an address at Mullahoran Lower, Kilcogy, Co Cavan, appeared before Judge Denis McLoughlin at a sitting of Virginia District Court yesterday. He is charged with the false imprisonment and assault causing harm to Mr Lunney at Drumbade, Cavan, on September 17, 2019.
Also before the court were: Alan O’Brien (38) of 51 Shelmalier Road, East Wall, Dublin and Darren Redmond (25) with an address at 93 Caledon Road, East Wall, Dublin. A fourth man cannot be named for legal reasons. They were also charged with false imprisonment and assault causing harm to Mr Lunney on the same date.
All four defendants were remanded in custody to Castlerea Prison to appear before Virginia District Court again next week, after Judge McLoughlin granted a number of temporary reporting restrictions in the case.
The judge has sought submissions from both the State and the solicitor representing the fourth man.
All four had been in custody since last Thursday when they were arrested, detained and questioned under Section 50 Criminal Justice Act 2007 as part of the investigation into the abduction and torture of Mr Lunney.
There was a heavy armed-garda presence outside the south-east Cavan courthouse as the defendants arrived to the Virginia sitting in two separate convoys yesterday morning (Tuesday), November 26.
There was a large media presence outside also, with three of the defendants arriving in separate cars as part of a convoy that travelled from the Dublin direction.

Mr O’Reilly arrived from the Cavan direction in an unmarked Garda car, a black Hyundai. Exiting the vehicle he pulled a grey hooded top over his head to cover his face from the assembled media.
He was the first to appear before Judge McLoughlin.

 

Solicitor Damien Rudden represented Mr O’Reilly, and informed the court that his client was consenting to a remand in custody to Castlerea Prison in Roscommon for a period of one week.
Mr O’Reilly, who wore a dark coloured jumper and pink collared shirt, did not speak or address the court during the short appearance.
Mr Rudden indicated that a bail application would be made at his next court appearance.
Prosecuting Garda Inspector Micheal O’Donoghue had earlier informed the court that the State would be objecting to bail being granted.
Bail applications were made in the cases of Mr Redmond and Mr O’Brien.
The court heard gardaí were objecting to bail, due to the seriousness of the charges and that, if released, there was a concern that witnesses or evidence still being pursued as part of the “ongoing investigation” may be interfered with.
Arresting garda, Detective Sergeant Walsh gave evidence objecting to Mr Redmond’s bail application. He appeared before the court wearing a blue-and-grey coloured hoodie and grey tracksuit, and was represented by Mark Lynam BL.
Mr Lynam concluded his application by telling the court that the father-of-one would “utterly contest” the alleged charges against him.
Arresting Garda David Kerrigan provided evidence objecting to bail in regarding father-of-three Mr O’Brien, represented in court by solicitor, Roy O’Neill.
Concerning fears that his client may face a long wait behind bars before any potential trial arising comes before the courts, Gda Kerrigan told the court that new evidence in relation to the case was coming to light “almost on a daily basis”.
He added that “matters are being dealt with as expeditiously as possible.”
Judge McLoughlin refused bail, and all four men have been remanded to Castlerea Prison.
They will appear again at Virginia District Court next Tuesday, December 3.
Father-of-six Mr Lunney was attacked as he made his way home from work on September 17, 2019.
The 50-year-old was later found bleeding and badly injured on an isolated rural roadway at Cornafean.
The maximum term in prison for false imprisonment, if found guilty, is life.