Crime scene expert testifies at 'tiger kidnapping' case

A crime scene expert has said he uncovered evidence of tactics commonly used by subversives when investigating a €2.28m "tiger kidnapping" four years ago.

Detective Garda Michael Keating (retired), formerly with the Ballistics Division, told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court he found a brightly coloured headband tied to a tree near the spot where the family of a Securicor worker was held hostage.

He explained that he had come across these pieces of cloth being used before, "particularly by subversives". He said they were often used as a "marker" to guide people through a wooded area.

Mr Keating told prosecuting counsel, Mr Dominic McGinn BL, that he examined the wooded area where Marie Richardson and her two sons were held captive overnight.

He said he found 12 plastic cable ties near where one of the raiders sat down.

He discovered a very large quantity of cigarette ends around the area and put six of the freshest ones in an evidence bag for examination. He said he found some human excrement and toilet paper which was also taken away for tests.

Mr McGinn told the jury the relevance of these items would become clear as the trial progressed.

David Byrne (aged 36), of Old Brazeel Way, Knocksedan, Swords; Niall Byrne (aged 27), of Aughavanagh Road, Crumlin; Mark Farrelly (aged 37), of Moatview Court, Priorswood; Christopher Corcoran (aged 61), of Bayside Boulevard North, Sutton; and Jason Kavanagh (aged 34), of Parslickstown Court, Ladyswell, have all pleaded not guilty to falsely imprisoning the Richardson family on March 13 and 14, 2005.

They also pleaded not guilt to robbing Mr Paul Richardson and Securicor on the same dates.

Detective Inspector Martin Cummings gave evidence that he took Mrs Richardson on a drive to Cloon Woods in Enniskerry where she pointed out where they were held hostage in a jeep while her husband went into work as a Securicor cash van driver.

She also pointed out the spot they were taken to when it got bright. She told Det Ins Cummings they were tied up there with cable ties while the raiders escaped.

Garda James Cod said the younger son, Kevin Richardson, pointed out an lay-by where one of the raiders had stopped for a cigarette.

When he examined the area he said he found a cigarette butt, a cigarette box and a cable tie which were all sent off for examination.

Detective Garda James Cunningham said he examined the Isuzu Trooper jeep in which the family were kept overnight and removed a large number of items including a pickaxe handle, cable ties, a kitchen knife, construction plans and sweet wrappers.

He said he managed to retrieve eleven fingerprints from these items but he was not in a position to say if these were of evidential value.

Detective Garda Thomas Carey said he carried out an "extremely thorough" examination of the jeep and took swabs of the interior in the hope of finding DNA, skin or hair. Mr McGinn said the value of the fingerprints and swabs would be dealt with by another witness.

The trial, which is expected to go into next month, continues with legal argument before Judge Tony Hunt and a jury of seven men and five women.