AN application for bail by a man charged in connection with the kidnapping of former National Irish Bank chief executive, Mr Jim Lacey, in 1993 has been refused by the High Court.
The application was made by Mr Joseph Kavanagh of Benbulben Road, Crumlin, Dublin.
He is one of 16 prisoners challenging their detention following the controversy over the composition of the Special Criminal Court.
Refusing bail, Mr Justice Kelly, said he preferred evidence given by two garda officers who had investigated claims by Mr Kavanagh that he was coerced into committing the alleged crime. Such claims were devoid of substance, said the judge.
Det Supt Cormac Gordon gave several reasons for believing Mr Kavanagh (37) would not answer to bail. These included the weight of evidence against him; his failure to appear before the Central Criminal Court on January 19th, 1994, on another charge, and the disappearance of £243,000 from the NIB.
The judge said the money had not been recovered and was last seen in the possession of Mr Kavanagh who faced a heavy custodial sentence if convicted of the charges against him.