Vol. 493 No. 5
216 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the media reports that a person (details supplied), charged in connection with a most serious offence, had in his possession several false passports and other forged documents when arrested, was granted bail on his third court appearance and immediately absconded; his views on these reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16750/98]
I am aware of the case referred to by the Deputy. With regard to the specific details supplied I wish to inform him that the person concerned was arrested by the Garda on 5 December 1997 and was charged with an offence under section 27(a) 1 of the Firearms Act, 1964. The Garda authorities have informed me that he was not in possession of any false passports at the time of his arrest.
With regard to the granting of bail the Deputy will appreciate that this is a matter entirely for the courts who are, under the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions and it is not open for me to comment in any way on the decision of the court. However, I understand that the person in question applied for bail at his appearance before the District Court on the day of his arrest. The gardaí objected to the bail application and it was not granted by the court. The defendant was remanded in custody until 10 December 1997.
At this court appearance the District Court granted an application for bail and further remanded the case to 17 December 1997. The defendant appeared before the court on this date but failed to appear on 11 February 1998, the date to which the case had been further remanded.
A bench warrant was issued for his arrest. The Garda are also in the process of applying to the court to have the bail estreated in this case.
