The trial of four men accused of the false imprisonment and assault of Kevin Lunney has begun before the Special Criminal Court.
The prosecution has been opening its case before the three judge court, with 250 witnesses expected to be called over the 12 week trial.
The prosecution has told the Court that Mr Lunney was taken from close to his home in Derrylin and assaulted and falsely imprisoned in Drumbrade in Co Cavan.
He sustained a broken leg, had the letters QIH cut into his chest and was doused in bleach in the incident on September 17th 2019, before being left by the roadside in Cornafean in Cavan.
The court has so far been told it's alleged that 66-year-old Luke O’Reilly from Mullahoran Lower, Kilcogy, Co Cavan, bought a bottle of bleach in Lynch’s Gala shop in Killydoon in Cavan at around the time of the attack, close to where the attack is alleged to have taken place.
It’s alleged this was used to remove attackers’ DNA or body samples from Mr Lunney’s body. It was also told it’s alleged the attack itself took place at a yard owned by Mr O’Reilly at Drumbrade in Cavan.
Three other men are alleged to have been involved in the incident, 27 year old Darren Redmond from Caledon Road, East Wall, Dublin 3, 40 year old Alan O'Brien of Shelmalier Road, East Wall, Dublin 3 and a fourth accused man who can't be named.
The court heard they’re alleged to have been involved in the attack itself, which was organised by Cyril McGuinness, also known as Dublin Jimmy. He died in late 2019 as he was being arrested by police in the UK.
Prosecuting counsel told the Court Mr Lunney heard his attackers say they had “a problem with the DNA” during the incident and two men left the area shortly afterwards.
It’s alleged they contacted Cyril McGuinness, who then contacted Mr O’Reilly who was seen on CCTV purchasing a bottle of bleach in the Gala shop. It’s further alleged this was then passed on to the attackers.
Warrants were obtained by Gardaí to access mobile phone data, which was then used to link the four accused and Mr McGuinness.
All four accused have pleaded not guilty to the false imprisonment and assault causing serious harm to Mr Lunney.
The trial has now begun hearing evidence from the first witness, a Garda technical bureau photographer.
