The Special Criminal Court has ordered the arrest of the main witness in the case against four men accused of falsely imprisoning and attacking a man who was beaten, held in a west Dublin house and had the word 'rat' branded on his body.
Jason Hennessy Junior, 28, and 22-year-old Brandon Hennessy, of Sheephill Avenue, Blanchardstown, along with 45-year-old Kenneth Fitzsimons and his 26-year-old son, Dean Fitzsimons, of Castlecurragh Vale, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15, are all charged in relation to the alleged assault and false imprisonment.
The prosecution counsel said the case largely centres on the alleged victim, who has been in contact with gardaí but did not turn up for court today.
Senior Counsel Garnet Orange told the three judges that the case cannot proceed without him.
Ms Justice Karen O'Connor acceded to the prosecution's request for a bench warrant for the arrest of the man, which she was told would be executed "with discretion".
However, she said the court was "most anxious for the trial to take place" because it was "a huge waste of resources when trials are listed and don't go ahead".
Defence counsel said that in the event that the trial cannot proceed in the immediate future, there would be a further bail application.
All four men have been remanded in custody until next Wednesday.
