Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 2461Unlawful search (civil) · Co. Dublin · 23 Aug 2014

Fran McGuinness loses Court of Appeal challenge over Garda search of Pinnock Hill premises

Truck dealer Fran McGuinness, 62, had his Court of Appeal challenge dismissed after the High Court found that a 2014 Garda search of his business premises at Pinnock Hill, Swords, was lawful. The three-judge panel, led by Mr Justice Senan Allen, rejected all 16 grounds of appeal relating to the search connected to Quinn Group attacks.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court28 Jan
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatHe claimed he was the victim of Garda harassment over several years because of his brother. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHe claimed gardaí wrongly associated him with the Quinn attacks and that information used to swear the warrant was untrue. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHe claimed gardaí caused unnecessary damage to two gates at the premises by using an acetylene torch. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHe claimed they seized important documents for his UK truck trading companies. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe defendants denied the claims, saying the search was lawful. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe search was carried out after a vehicle used in one of the Quinn-related attacks was seen in the yard at a specific time and date. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereFran McGuinness is a truck dealer originally from Pinnock Hill, Swords, Co Dublin, with an address on the Dublin Road, Newry, Co Down. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe search of his truck business premises at Pinnock Hill took place on 23 August 2014. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe High Court dismissed his case in May 2024. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtFran McGuinness appealed on 16 grounds, claiming the High Court judge erred in law and fact. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMr Justice Senan Allen, in a judgment on behalf of the three-judge Court of Appeal, dismissed the appeal. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge noted that McGuinness never asserted or pleaded that his premises had been searched without a warrant. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThere was evidence from a detective sergeant who applied for the warrant and this was not challenged. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 28 Jan2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Late gangster’s brother loses appeal over Garda search of business premises

    Court of Appeal judgment dismissing Fran McGuinness's 16-ground appeal against the High Court's dismissal of his civil action over a 2014 Garda search of his Pinnock Hill truck yard.

    victim, Fran McGuinness, 62, male, Irish, irishFran McGuinness