Kevin Lunney trial adjourned over Covid numbers

The trial of four men accused of abducting and assaulting Kevin Lunney, a Quinn Industrial Holdings executive, has been adjourned by the Special Criminal Court. Mr Justice Tony Hunt determined on Tuesday that proceeding with the trial as originally scheduled for January 11 would be "undesirable and imprudent" given escalating coronavirus case numbers. The judge stated the trial would now commence on February 1. Three of the accused are Luke O'Reilly from Kilcogy, County Cavan, Darren Redmond from Dublin, and Alan O'Brien from Dublin. A fourth man cannot be named for legal reasons. All face charges of false imprisonment and assault causing serious harm to Mr Lunney at Ballinagh, County Cavan in September 2019. The case will return for mention on January 11 to address disclosure matters. The trial is expected to last approximately twelve weeks.