Castlebar man extradited from UK

Castlebar man extradited from UK, charged with assault


A CASTLEBAR man who was extradited from the UK on foot of three arrest warrants appeared before last week’s sitting of Castlebar District Court charged with assault.
Owen McDonagh of Saleen, Castlebar, was arrested at Ireland West Airport Knock on September 19 after stepping off a flight from London at 7.55am. He was transferred to Castlebar garda station, where he was charged and brought before that day’s sitting of Castlebar District Court.
Mr McDonagh was arrested in London on September 7 and had been in custody since that date.
Superintendent JJ Keane explained that the DPP had directed a trial on indictment and sought for Mr McDonagh to be remanded in custody, claiming he was a flight risk and pointing to the seriousness of the charges.
However, Mr McDonagh’s solicitor said her client moved to London after the charges were struck out by the court on a previous date because of the delay of DPP directions. She said he had appeared in court on each occasion prior to this and was not a flight risk as the Gardaí had his passport.
State solicitor Vincent Deane confirmed that no bench warrant had been issued against Mr McDonagh.
Mr McDonagh gave an undertaking to live at his mother’s address at Saleen, Castlebar, and was released on bail to appear before Castlebar District Court on October 16 for service of the book of evidence.
He was also ordered to sign on twice a week in Castlebar, comply with a curfew and stay away from the victim, Martin McDonagh.