Prosecution finishes evidence in 'tiger kidnapping' trial

The state have finished their evidence in the trial of five men accused of involvement in a €2.28m "tiger kidnapping" robbery.

The prosecution, led by Denis Vaughan Buckley SC, called their last witness on day fifty of the trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

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 guilty to robbing Mr Richardson and Securicor on the same date.

Corena Coleman gave evidence that she baby-sat Niall Byrne’s children on the night of the robbery. She told defence counsel, David Wheelahan BL, that Mr Byrne and his partner went to the cinema and arrived home at around 10.30pm that evening.

She said he ate a Chinese takeaway and went to bed straight after. Mr Bynre, a former Securicor employee is alleged to have been the "inside man" for the robbery.

Judge Tony Hunt sent the jury of seven men and five women away until later this week to allow for the discussion of legal issues.