Detective tells trial he believes tiger kidnap accused has links to organised crime

A detective has testified at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that he holds the view a man accused of involvement in a €90,000 tiger kidnapping in 2014 has connections to organised crime. Paschal Kelly, aged 52 and from Cootehill, County Cavan, has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges arising from an incident at Malahide, Dublin, on 25 September 2014. The charges include trespass, false imprisonment of a postmistress and two other individuals, robbery from a post office, making threats to kill, and unlawful possession of a vehicle. During cross-examination by the defence, Detective Garda Domhnall O'Connell confirmed his belief regarding Mr Kelly's alleged links to organised crime. He explained to the court that gardaí did not conduct an identity parade due to the accused's significantly altered appearance since the alleged offence. The trial before Judge Karen O'Connor and a jury continues.