THE TRIAL of a Meath resident accused of stealing €300,000 worth of tobacco products and falsely imprisoning two delivery men has heard the van in which the consignment was found had been reported stolen.
Frank Cunningham, Moyfenrath, Enfield, has pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the theft of tobacco products worth €314,916 and the false imprisonment of Joseph O’Toole and Edward Postol in Blanchardstown on March 14th, 2007.
He has also pleaded not guilty to possession of a firearm or imitation firearm and unlawful use of a mechanically propelled vehicle on the same date in the same place.
John Morgan, who was director of goods distribution firm SNT Transport, told Paul Carroll, prosecuting, that he became aware one of his vans was stolen on the date of the robbery. He reported the Ford Transit van stolen.
The trial continues before Judge Donagh McDonagh and a jury.
