POLICE LAUNCHED a massive security operation at a Costa del Sol court as they prepared for the arrival of suspected Irish gangland figure Christy Kinahan (53) and associates.
Kinahan’s alleged right-hand man John Cunningham appeared before a Spanish judge last night sporting a bruised eye and a cut on his cheek.
Cunningham (58), from Ballyfermot, was led into court in handcuffs showing signs of a recent struggle.
The suspect looked tired and dishevelled with bags under his eyes. He stayed silent when asked how he was bearing up as he was led into court.
In 1986 Cunningham was jailed for 17 years for kidnapping Jennifer Guinness, heiress to the Guinness family fortune, from her home in Howth, Co Dublin.
Last night two Irishmen who had been brought before the court were released minutes after Cunningham entered.
In proceedings that were closed to the public and members of the media a Spanish judge was holding preliminary hearings and interviewing some of those arrested in police raids in recent days.
Heavily armed officers imposed a ring of security around the building in Estepona as judge Maria Carmen Gutierrez Henares questioned some of the 22 suspects arrested in the police raids.
It was not made known last night when exactly Kinahan himself would be questioned by the judge in the proceedings which could go on over the weekend.
A statement released yesterday morning by Andalusia’s higher court of justice said: “The court of the first instance and instruction number 3 in Estepona took statements on Thursday from eight people in relation to the operation against the Irish mafia.
“Six of them were released on bail with the obligation to appear on the first and 15th day of each month.
“They are being formally investigated for money-laundering, drug trafficking and falsifying documents, along with other alleged offences.”
A lawyer acting for one suspect said: “The suspects were brought to court three by three because there are only two cells in the building, one holding two people and the other holding one.
“The judge takes statements from them individually.”