THREE MEN convicted of carrying out a €2.3 million robbery and kidnapping four years ago face up to life in prison when their sentence is finalised next week.
The three were found guilty following the longest criminal trial in the history of the State which ran to 66 days and heard more than 200 witnesses. The jury could not agree on verdicts for another two accused.
The three convicted men who appeared in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court court yesterday amid heavy Garda security were Christopher Corcoran (61), Bayside Boulevard North, Sutton; Mark Farrelly (37), Moatview Court, Priorswood; and Jason Kavanagh (34), of Parslickstown Court, Ladyswell.
The court heard that the Director of Public Prosecutions intended to retry David Byrne (36) Old Brazeel Way, Knocksedan, Swords, and Niall Byrne (27), of Aughavanagh Road, Crumlin.
They will appear again next week to set a date for their trial.
Judge Tony Hunt heard a summary of evidence detailing how four raiders held Securicor worker Paul Richardson’s family hostage while he delivered them €2.28 million.
The men’s defence counsel made brief pleas in mitigation for their clients. They said Corcoran and Kavanagh were in ill-health and would find prison difficult.
All five pleaded not guilty to robbing €2.28 million from Mr Richardson and Securicor and to falsely imprisoning the Richardson family on March 13th and 14th, 2005.
Insp Paul Scott said the family continued to suffer anxiety and post-traumatic stress four years later, and that Mr Richardson felt “the old Paul is dead” and a more serious, anxious and alert man is in his place.
The inspector said Corcoran, a retired Eircom worker, acted as a “scout” in the operation by frequently contacting the different parties to place them during the night and following morning leading up to the drop-off of the money.
Insp Scott said Corcoran had two previous convictions, including possession of an offensive weapon. Kavanagh had 20 dating back to 1993, including handling stolen property, forgery and assault, while Farrelly had six, including burglary and assault.
He said there was “a strong connection” between the three men and evidence that Farrelly and Corcoran travelled to Spain together immediately after the robbery.
Shane Costelloe, for Kavanagh, submitted that his client played an “active role” in caring for his children before his incarceration as his wife was in poor health.
He said Kavanagh suffered from chronic diabetes, and that while he had 20 previous convictions, they were all for minor offences and he had never been in prison except for a three-month sentence imposed in 1994.
He said he had been a boxer and represented Dublin and Leinster at senior level.
Aidan Toal, defending Corcoran, said his client’s role was to be a “scout” for the gang. Judge Hunt replied that the evidence showed he was more of a “scout leader”. Mr Toal said he could not argue against the “perspicacity of the jury” but took issue with their verdict and intended to appeal.
Ciarán O’Loughlin SC, for Farrelly, said his client was not involved in physically threatening the family and had expressed sympathy for their ordeal.
Judge Hunt said he needed time to read reports and letters handed in on the men’s behalf. He adjourned finalisation until next week. He also adjourned to the same date a hearing involving RTÉ where the broadcaster will be asked to explain a potentially prejudicial mention of the trial on the Marian Finucane Show.