Maze escaper kidnap case collapse

Brendan McFarlane is a former IRA leader and Maze prison escapee

The trial of former IRA leader Brendan McFarlane has collapsed at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin.

The Belfast man had faced charges in connection with the kidnapping of English supermarket executive Don Tidey almost 25 years ago.

The prosecution said it would offer no further evidence after a court ruling that garda evidence was inadmissible.

The court ruled that incriminating statements he allegedly made could not be used in evidence.

Mr McFarlane had denied charges of possession of firearms, intent to endanger life and unlawful imprisonment.