Fran McGuinness, brother of the late gangster Cyril “Dublin Jimmy” McGuinness, has told the High Court that their lifelong familial and professional connection with Sean Quinn, a former billionaire, had led to him being targeted by the Garda. Cyril, also known as a truck dealer residing in Newry, Co Down, had once inhabited a house in Derrylin, Co Fermanagh, previously owned by Quinn.
Cyril McGuinness, originating from Swords, Co Dublin, had been implicated in several assaults on Quinn’s properties after the fall of Quinn’s business empire, including orchestrating the kidnapping of Kevin Lunney. Fran McGuinness, however, insists he has been wrongly stereotyped with his brother’s attacks on Quinn and has become the subject of Garda harassment spanning several years, solely due to his familial relations.
He is now suing the Garda Commissioner and the State for what he alleges was an unmerited search of his truck company premises, located adjacent to their old family residence on Pinnock Hill, on 23rd August 2014. Furthermore, he revealed that the Garda caused unwarranted damage during this raid, seizing significant business documents, torching two gates, and removing £2,000 and €1,800 in envelopes, money he claims were commissions he had to subsequently replace.
Declaring their innocence, the defendants contradicted Fran’s claims, stating that no money-filled envelopes were found, that the search carried out was legal, and all confiscated documents’ duplicates were returned to him.
Fran conceded he had been distant from his brother for several years leading up to Cyril’s death. The latter suffered a heart attack and died after his residence in Derbyshire, England, was raided by the police in 2019. He reported to his lawyer, Eanna Mulloy SC, that the 2014 search was one in a series of incidents between 2008 and 2012, where Garda confiscated around 15 of his vehicles and other property, a fraction of which was later returned.
Mr McGuinness launched legal actions following multiple seizures, though he confessed to losing track of their update, due to the high number of cases. He also acknowledged an existing tension between him and the Garda, mentioning that being Cyril’s brother brought additional pressure from the Garda.
In ongoing cross-examination by Gerard Clarke SC, representative for the defendants, Mr McGuinness admitted it was not atypical for him to let two envelopes filled with substantial cash lay around his unlocked office located in Pinnock Hill.
Upon being questioned about the reason for introducing Cyril’s name to the case, Mr McGuinness made it known he wanted the court to grasp the context surrounding the 2014 investigation. He stated that his brother Cyril, a notable figure, was suspected of partaking in Quinn property’s arson.
Mr McGuinness debunked countless rumours of him masterminding the former Quinn property’s campaign, as found in newspapers. He explained his lifelong friendship and business relationship with Sean Quinn, as well as his residence in a property formerly possessed by Sean Quinn. He adamantly denied any responsibility for his brother’s actions and blames this for his experience of Garda persecution.
Mr McGuinness agreed to his multiple convictions for several road traffic offences, which include bans for dangerous and careless driving. He justified describing his record as impeccable in an affidavit, arguing that he didn’t believe these motor offences affected his reputation.
He clarified that his record didn’t showcase any arson charges – which the Garda linked him to- and the trial is yet to continue before Mr Justice David Nolan.
Ends.