'Tiger kidnapping' trial nears end

Closing speeches have finished in the trial of five men accused of involvement in a €2.28m "tiger kidnapping" robbery.

Both the defence and prosecution teams have concluded their closing remarks and Judge Tony Hunt has begun giving the jury a summary of the evidence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Judge Hunt is expected to conclude his summing up tomorrow and the jury will then be sent out to begin their deliberations. It was day 54 of the 14-week trial.

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.