Brixton prison escaper Mr Nessan Quinlivan is "an essential cog in the IRA", the Special Criminal Court was told yesterday. Det Insp John Kerins, who was opposing bail for Mr Quinlivan, said some people were terrified of giving evidence "through sheer fear of the IRA, of which Nessan Quinlivan is an essential cog".
The court was told that a Limerick man, allegedly kidnapped by Quinlivan and two other men, was now living in London and had been paid £1,000 not to give evidence. Earlier this week, the court issued a warrant for the arrest of Mr Michael Lyons after hearing that he was a key prosecution witness in the case against Mr Quinlivan and the other two men.
Mr Quinlivan (31), of Knockalisheen Avenue, Ballynanty Beg, Limerick, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to falsely imprisoning Mr Lyons at his home at Greenhills Road, Garryowen, Limerick, on August 25th last year.
Mr Justice Johnson said the trial could not be postponed indefinitely. There would be a decision on the bail application in four weeks. Mr Quinlivan was remanded in custody until December 12th.