File sent to DPP on vigilante case

Gardai investigating vigilantism in Co Kerry are understood to have witness statements and information from the use of mobile…

Gardai investigating vigilantism in Co Kerry are understood to have witness statements and information from the use of mobile telephones at the time a Castleisland man was abducted and beaten last December.

The investigation based in Killarney Garda station is understood to be at an advanced stage.

Preparations are being made to send files to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who will determine whether or not the evidence is sufficiently strong to merit charges.

It is understood the investigation has turned up evidence about the movement of cars and the eyewitness identification of certain people around the time of an abduction of a man in the Castleisland area of Kerry last December.

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Gardaí are understood to have examined the use of mobile telephones in and around the location of the abduction and serious assault of the man concerned.

The tracking of mobile telephones from transmission masts can give quite precise information about the location of the user.

Evidence about mobile telephones has been used in a number of high-profile cases in recent years, particularly those of men charged with the murder of the journalist, Veronica Guerin, and in the case of Colm Murphy, who was prosecuted for conspiracy in the Omagh bombing.

Gardaí have already arrested and questioned seven people, including the Sinn Féin candidate in the general election, Mr Martin Ferris, about the activities of the so-called "Concerned Parents" group which has claimed responsibility for the abduction of the Dublin man living in the Castleisland area.

The same group has claimed responsibility for a series of incidents in Co Kerry in the past year in which people have been abducted, assaulted or threatened.

The abduction and beating fitted into a pattern of incidents in the north Kerry constituency in the past year in which people are reported to have been threatened and, in some cases, assaulted.

During these incidents a number of people were forced to pay money to shopkeepers who had goods and money stolen from their premises.

In a number of incidents, people purporting to be from the IRA, or giving the impression they were involved with the IRA, called at houses and made threats.

As part of the Garda investigation, seven members of Sinn Féin have been arrested in the past two weeks and questioned at Killarney Garda station. Mr Ferris was arrested on Monday and held for questioning.

The party has complained of "systematic harassment of the Sinn Féin election operation in north Kerry" by gardaí.

Mr Ferris also claimed he was assaulted while in custody on Monday. Yesterday, he went to Tralee General Hospital for an X-ray examination.

Mr Ferris also made a formal complaint through his solicitor about the alleged assault which he claims took place while he was being interrogated. He said he was caught by the throat, pushed against a wall, had his arms twisted and was pushed around a room. A doctor was called at his request.

Gardaí say there was no assault in the station, but that damage was done to property including presses which they say were overturned in an interview room.

The Government has denied any political interference in the arrests of Sinn Féin members in Kerry. The Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, said he was "astounded and disappointed" that Sinn Féin should continue to allege there has been interference with the Garda or anyone in the political system, or his Department.