The Special Criminal Court will deliver a judgement in the New Year in the trial of property magnate Jim Mansfield Jnr, who denies setting up one of his employees to be kidnapped by a criminal gang.
Mr Mansfield pleaded not guilty before the three-judge, non-jury court in October last year but due to a number of lengthy adjournments, the trial continued until last month.
Mr Justice Alex Owens, presiding, had indicated that a judgement might be delivered on Monday.
At a brief hearing this morning, Mr Justice Owens indicated that the court has not concluded its consideration of the evidence and judgement will be delivered on January 17th next.
Not guilty plea
Mr Mansfield Jnr (54), of Tasaggart House, Garters Lane, Saggart, Co Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to conspiring with one or more persons to falsely imprison Martin Byrne on a date unknown between January 1st, 2015 and June 30th, 2015.
He also denies attempting to pervert the course of justice by directing Patrick Byrne to destroy recorded CCTV footage, with the alleged intention of perverting the course of public justice in relation to the false imprisonment of Martin Byrne (53) at Finnstown House Hotel, Newcastle Road, Lucan, Co Dublin between June 9th, 2015 and June 12th, 2015.
Mr Byrne told the trial that Mr Mansfield was present at an office when he was taken prisoner by violent criminals Dessie O'Hare and Declan 'Whacker' Duffy.
Mr Mansfield's defence counsel Bernard Condon SC described Mr Byrne as an unreliable and dishonest witness and said there is no evidence linking his client to the abduction.
