Four men charged with the abduction and assault of Quinn Industrial Holdings executive Kevin Lunney could face life behind bars if convicted of his false imprisonment, a court was told today.
Mr Lunney, a 50-year-old father of six, was abducted near his home at Kinawley, Co Fermanagh as he returned home from work in September.
His car was driven off the road and he was dragged from the vehicle which was then set ablaze.
Mr Lunney was then driven over the border to Co Cavan to an isolated location where he was seriously assaulted during an ordeal that lasted several hours.
He was discovered on the roadside near Cornafean, Co Cavan, by a farmer passing in a tractor.
Mr Lunney remained in hospital for some weeks.
Today four men, three from Dublin and one from Co Cavan, appeared before Virginia District Court for a second time.
Before the court were: Alan O’Brien, 38, with an address at Shelmalier Road, East Wall, Dublin; Luke O’Reilly, 66, from Mullahoran Lower, Kilcogy, Co.Cavan and Darren Redmond, 25, with an address at Caledon Road, East Wall, Dublin.
A fourth man from Dublin aged 38 was also before the court. He cannot be named for legal reasons.
Other reporting restrictions also remain in force, Judge Denis McLoughlin ruled, after hearing submissions from the State.
All four are charged with assaulting Kevin Lunney under Section 3 of the Non-fatal Offences Against The Person Act and the false imprisonment of the businessman on September 17 last, also under the Non-fatal Offences Against The Person Act.
Section 3 assault (assault causing harm) carries a sentence on conviction of up to five years in jail.
False imprisonment under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Judge Denis McLoughlin refused a bail application from Luke O'Reilly from Mullahoran Lower, Kilcogy, Co Cavan.
All four men were remanded in continuing custody to appear at Harristown District Court, Castlerea on December 13 next.
