BUSINESSMAN JIM MANSFIELD Jnr appeared before an out-of-hours sitting of the non-jury Special Criminal Court tonight, charged with conspiracy to commit false imprisonment and with attempting to pervert the court of justice.

Mansfield (52), of Tassagart House, Garters Lane, Saggart, Co Dublin, is charged with conspiring with one or more persons to falsely imprison Martin Byrne on a date unknown between 1 January 2015 and 30 June 2015.

The accused is also charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice by directing Patrick Byrne to destroy recorded CCTV footage in relation to the false imprisonment of Martin Byrne between 9 June 2015 and 12 June 2015 at Finnstown House Hotel, Newcastle Road, Lucan, Co Dublin.

Mansfield was admitted to bail on an independent surety of €10,000 and subject to a number of conditions, including the requirement to sign on once a week at Lucan Garda Station between 9am and 9pm, and not to leave the country.

A book of the evidence was served on Mansfield and he was remanded until later this month, when he will next appear before the three-judge court.

Presiding judge Ms Justice Tara Burns, sitting with Judge Gerard Griffin and Judge Michael Walsh, remanded the accused man on bail to appear before the court again on 29 July.

Comments are closed due to ongoing legal proceedings.