Abduction accused dyed hair in days after incident, court hears

A man accused of abducting the son of a Limerick post mistress dyed his hair some days after the incident, a jury heard yesterday.

The trial at Limerick Circuit Court has already been told that when Zachary Coughlan Ryan was picked out at a Garda identity parade, his hair had been dyed blonde.

Mr Coughlan Ryan, aged 34, of Brennan’s Row, Catherine Place, Limerick, had pleaded not guilty to falsely imprisoning Stephen Cusack and Niall Reddan at a house in Caisleann na hAbhainn estate, Castletroy, on Aug 19/20, 2012.

Tara Troy, in evidence, said the accused had been at her house on the night of Aug 19 until around 11pm and after leaving returned about three hours later.

She bought hair dye for the accused some days later.

Cross examined by Brendan Nix, defending, she said she had been told by detectives what to say in evidence about the accused’s hair colour.

The trial has heard how three men abducted Mr Cusack and Mr Reddan and demanded €500,000 for the safe release of Mr Cusack, whose mother an the post office in Garryowen.

In evidence, Mr Cusack said he was watching TV with Mr Reddan on Aug 19, 2012, when the sitting room door opened and two men wearing balaclavas came in, one with a gun and the other with a knife.

He and Mr Reddan were tied with cable ties before being put into a truck.

Mr Reddan in evidence recalled how he was released and told to inform Mr Cusack’s family they would have to pay €500,000 for the safe release of their son.

Mr Cusack said he was driven to a field and left in a ditch, with one of the three men left in charge.

When he was out of view for a moment, Mr Cusack escaped.

Mr Cusack said he saw the face of one of the gang. He picked this man out days after the abduction, when he attended an identity parade at Henry St Garda Station. The man’s hair had been dyed blonde.

Sgt Mary Walsh, who attended the identity parade, told the trial the man picked out by Mr Cusack was Mr Coughlan Ryan.

The trial continues.