Legal Challenge To Special Criminal Court Jurisdiction To Hear Lunney Abduction Trial Fails.

Tuesday, 1 June 2021 16:30

Decision clears the way for the trial of 4 men to proceed.

A legal challenge to the non-jury Special Criminal Court’s jurisdiction to hear the Kevin Lunney abduction trial has failed.

The decision clears the way for the trial of four men accused of falsely imprisoning and seriously assaulting the director of Quinn Industrial Holdings to begin tomorrow.

Our Courts Correspondent Frank Greaney reports:

"Kevin Lunney claims he was abducted from outside his home in Co Fermanagh in September 2019, beaten up and then dumped by the side of a road in Co Cavan.

The trial of four men accused of falsely imprisoning and assaulting him was due to get underway yesterday but one of the defence barristers, Michael O’Higgins, challenged the Special Criminal Court’s jurisdiction to hear it at all.

He said the emergency legislation which gave life to the non-jury court was supposed to be temporary, but has now crystallised into something permanent.

He also raised concerns about the decision-making process, claiming civil servants in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions were deciding new circumstances in which the special criminal courts can conduct trials.

In ruling against him, Mr Justice Tony Hunt said it was “undoubtedly the case” that the court had jurisdiction to hear this trial and it would continue in the ordinary way.

It’s due to open tomorrow morning."

More from National News

CCPC Issues Open Letter To Traders Amid Surge In Complaints Over Home Building And Improvement Jobs

The CCPC received almost 1,250 complaints from consumers - prompting the regulator to issue an open letter to the industry and to write directly to nearly 3,000 traders nationwide.
Pizza Vending Machine In Naas Forced To Close Over Anti-Social Activity And Alleged Drug Dealing

The only other pizza vending machine operated by Bosca Pizza is in Newcastle.
BREAKING: DJ Carey Jailed For Five-And-A-Half Years

After passing sentence, the judge said he could not imagine a more reprehensible fraud
Kildare Superintendent Among Officers Promoted As Part Of Senior Garda Operational Reassignments

Among the changes, Superintendent Georgina Gray - who had been serving in Kildare North - has been transferred to the Garda National Protective Services Bureau, where she will take on detective duties.
BREAKING: Man Arrested On Suspicion Of Murder Following Death Of Ryan Weir Gibbons In Kildare Town

Gardaí confirmed the arrest was made this morning, Monday 3rd November, as part of the ongoing investigation.
"Hope At Last" - Horsepasstown Residents May Soon See End To Six-Year Boil Water Struggle

Annette Ward, whose 87-year-old mother Kay Ward is among those affected, told Kfm that work to replace the water pipeline is due to begin in January - and it’s hoped residents could have safe, drinkable tap water by July.
Kildare Among Worst-Hit Counties As Teacher Shortages Hit Special And Disadvantaged Schools

The findings also reveal that a substitution crisis continues to affect a large number of primary schools.
Focus Ireland Founder Sr Stan Dies Aged 86

She passed away earlier this morning in Dublin at the St Francis Hospice in Blanchardstown.