No bail for former Sinn Féin councillor and his father

A former Sinn Féin councillor and his father, both charged with intent to commit false imprisonment, have been refused bail at the Special Criminal Court.

Jonathan Dowdall (39), with an address at Navan Road, Dublin 7 and Patrick Dowdall (59), of the same address, are both charged with possession of "what appeared to be a sawn off shotgun and a .44 calibre magnum revolver" with the intent to commit the false imprisonment of one Alexander Hurley at their home address on January 15th, 2015.

At Friday’s bail hearing, Detective Inspector William Hanrahan, of the Special Detective Unit (SDU), told the three-judge, non-jury court that the objection was based on the “seriousness” of the charge.

The court also heard evidence from Detective Chief Superintendent John McMahon, head of the SDU, who said his objection was based on Section 2A of the Bail Act.

The section allows a chief superintendent give evidence that the refusal of bail is necessary to prevent the commission of a serious offence.

Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding with Judge Flann Brennan and Judge Ann Ryan, said that the court was refusing bail because of the "cogent and credible concerns" expressed by the chief superintendent.

The accused men were remanded in custody until June 28th, when their case is listed for mention again.