Two businessmen charged with false imprisonment of three teenage boys
Two businessmen have appeared before Judge Michael Connellan at Sligo District Court charged with the false imprisonment of three teenage boys.
One of the accused faces ten charges, including assault causing harm to all three boys, and making threats to kill.
All of the charges relate to an incident on March 18 2024 at the Northwest Business Park, Collooney, County Sligo.
Cathal O'Connor (39), Farmhil Manor, Sligo is charged with assaulting each of the teenagers, causing them harm and with the false imprisonment of all three.
He also faces three charges that he did, without lawful excuse, made a threat to each of the three, intending them to believe it would be carried out, to kill or cause them serious harm.
He is also charged with stealing property, to wit, an iPhone, to the value of €500, the property of one of the alleged injured parties.
Simon Cavanagh (38), Bru na Habhainn, Collooney, Co Sligo is charged with three offences, on the same date and at the same location, all relating to the false imprisonment of the three alleged injured parties.
At the district court on Thursday, Sgt Derek Malone of Sligo Garda Station told the court that he met Simon Cavanagh at 7:05am at his home in Bru na Habhainn, Collooney where he was arrested for the purpose of charge.
Simon Cavanagh.
He was conveyed to Sligo Garda Station where he was later charged.
He made no reply to each charge, Sgt Malone outlined.
He was handed a true copy of each charge.
The sergeant said there was no objection to bail with certain conditions, including he sign on once a week at Sligo Garda Station and be contactable to gardaí on his mobile phone at all times.
He was also told not to have any contact with the injured parties or any persons associated with the injured parties, directly or indirectly.
Bail of €1,000 cash lodgement was handed into court.
Gda Aisling Burke of Sligo Garda Station told the court she arrested Cathal O'Connor at 6:24am at his address at Farmhill Manor for the purpose of charge.
He was conveyed to Sligo Garda Station where he was later charged.
He was cautioned and made no reply.
Cathal O'Connor
Today's News in 90 Seconds - June 14 2025
Gda Burke said there was no objection to bail, with conditions to sign on once a week, be contactable at all times to gardaí on his mobile phone and to have no contact with the injured parties or any persons associated with the injured parties, directly or indirectly.
Bail of €5,000 cash lodgement was handed into court.
Sgt Keith Marron said the Director of Public Prosecutions was consenting for both accused to be returned for trial and also consented to both being sent forward on a signed plea, should this arise.
Judge Connellan remanded both on bail to the district court on July 10 for service of the Book of Evidence.
Ms Laura Spellman, solicitor, as agent for KOD Lyons Solicitors, represented both Mr O'Connor and Mr Cavanagh.
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