ABDUCTOR TO APPEAL CONVICTION

One of the men found guilty of the abduction and torture of Mannok director Kevin Lunney is seeking leave to appeal his conviction to the Supreme Court on a point of law.

Alan Harte (44), of Island Quay Apartments, East Wall, Dublin 3, was among three men found guilty by the Special Criminal Court of false imprisonment and intentionally causing harm to Mr Lunney at a yard at Drumbrade, Ballinagh, Co Cavan, on September 17, 2019.

Harte and his co-defendants - Alan O’Brien of Shelmalier Road and Darren Redmond from Caledon Road, also in East Wall - received various jail terms of between 15 and 30 years for their respective roles in the abduction and torture of Mr Lunney. At the time of sentencing, in January 2021, Harte was known only as YZ as he could not be named for legal reasons. It was stated that he was the ringleader and had inflicted the most serious injuries on Mr Lunney. Harte was jailed for 30 years.

All three men appealed their convictions to the Court of Appeal but were unsuccessful in January of this year.

A spokesperson for the Courts Service confirmed to the Celt yesterday (Tuesday) that: “An application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court was lodged for Alan Harte.”

He added: “No determination as to whether he will be given leave to appeal or not, has issued to date.”