Vol. 483 No. 6
46 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 20 of 21 October 1997 the final report, if any, he has received on the circumstances of the release on bail of a man who had been remanded in custody by the District Court on charges involving drugs valued at £1.5 million; if the person who was released has been re-arrested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21089/97]
50 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the man charged with possession of £1.5 million worth of cannabis at Court 44 of Dublin District Court on 8 September 1997, who was refused bail by the court and who was later released on bail of £350, has been re-arrested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21184/97]
54 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the man charged with possession of £1.5 million worth of cannabis at Court 44 of Dublin District Court on 8 September 1997, who was refused bail by the court and who was later released on bail of £350, has been re-arrested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21181/97]
93 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the man charged with possession of £1.5 million worth of cannabis at Court 44 of Dublin District Court on 8 September 1997, who was refused bail by the court and who was later released on bail of £350, has been re-arrested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21179/97]
107 Mr. D'Arcy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the man charged with possession of £1.5 million worth of cannabis at Court 44 of Dublin District Court on 8 September 1997, who was refused bail by the court and who was later released on bail of £350, has been re-arrested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21183/97]
114 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the man charged with possession of £1.5 million worth of cannabis at Court 44 of Dublin District Court on 8 September 1997, who was refused bail by the court and who was later released on bail of £350, has been re-arrested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21182/97]
118 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the man charged with possession of £1.5 million worth of cannabis at Court 44 of Dublin District Court on 8 September 1997, who was refused bail by the court and who was later released on bail of £350, has been re-arrested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21180/97]
403 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the man charged with possession of £1.5 million worth of cannabis at Court 44 of Dublin District Court on 8 September 1997, who was refused bail by the court and who was later released on bail of £350, has been re-arrested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21346/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 46, 50, 54, 93, 107, 114, 118, and 403 together.
I am glad to be able to inform the House that the person in question was re-arrested by the Garda Síochána and charged before the Dublin Metropolitan District Court on 28 October 1997. On that date he was remanded in custody to 18 November 1997 when he was further remanded to 2 December 1997. The person in question applied to the High Court for bail and was granted bail by that court on 24 November 1997. He was released on bail on 25 November.
I can confirm to the Deputy that the person concerned appeared before the District Court today and was remanded on continuing bail until 27 January 1998.
I have previously informed the House that the circumstances which led to the person's original release on bail were investigated by the President of the District Court who satisfied himself that the issue of an incorrect warrant arose because of a clerical error in the District Court.
In my reply to Dáil questions on this matter on 21 October 1997 I also informed the House that the President of the District Court, in conjunction with the Chief Clerk of the Dublin Metropolitan District Court, had made changes in the arrangements regarding the issuing of warrants. In recent discussions which I have had with the President of the District Court he indicated that he is satisfied with these arrangements.
