The Special Criminal Court has again adjourned its verdict in the trial of a Dublin man accused of the kidnap of former banker Mr Jim Lacey. The court, which sits without a jury, will give its verdict in the trial of Mr Joseph Kavanagh next Wednesday afternoon.
The three judges have been considering their verdict since last Wednesday afternoon when final submissions were heard from prosecuting and defence counsel.
During the seven-day trial the court has heard that the accused man, Mr Joseph Kavanagh, told gardai he was himself kidnapped and held for two weeks before agreeing to drive Mr Lacey to the National Irish Bank branch at College Green in Dublin where a ransom of £243,000 was loaded into a van.
Mr Lacey agreed to go to the bank after an armed gang forced its way into his home at Blackrock, Co Dublin and tied up his wife and family.
Mrs Joan Lacey, her four children and their baby-sitter were later freed in a stables near the Phoenix Park.
Mr Kavanagh (38) of Benbulben Road, Crumlin, Dublin, has denied falsely imprisoning Mr Lacey, former chief executive of National Irish Bank, his wife and their daughter Suzanne at Blackrock, Co Dublin, on November 2nd, 1993. Mr Kavanagh has also denied stealing cash from Mr Eugene Keenan and demanding cash with menaces.
He also denied having a handgun with intent to commit false imprisonment on November 2nd, 1993.