Courts / Dublin / Report
Legislation does not allow Electronic Tagging for those seeking bail, judge finds
Summary
In a bail hearing before the Central Criminal Court, Judge Paul Coffey refused bail for Sinn Féin councillor Jonathan Dowdall (38) and his father Patrick Dowdall (59). Both men were charged with falsely imprisoning, assaulting and threatening to kill Alexander Hurley on 15 January 2015 at Navan Road, Dublin. They also face charges of possessing a firearm or imitation firearm and a handgun with intent to imprison Mr Hurley. The Dowdalls had applied for bail before Christmas, with Chief Superintendent Finbar O'Brien suggesting electronic tagging might satisfy security concerns. The judge examined the legislation and concluded that electronic tagging is not permitted for persons seeking bail. Consequently, the court adjourned the hearing to the new year and denied the bail applications, despite the defendants' willingness to increase surety from €10,000 to €20,000. The defendants are scheduled to go on trial in May.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Legislation does not allow Electronic Tagging for those seeking bail, judge finds. Charges or matters: falsely imprisoning Alexander Hurley by detaining him without his consent at Navan Road on January 15th 2015; threatening to kill Mr Hurley and of assaulting the man, causing him harm, on the same occasion. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial
When:
- January 15th 2015 Incident
- Christmas Other
- new year Other
- 2017-01-13 Publication
Case subjects
Applicant
Charges: falsely imprisoning Alexander Hurley by detaining him without his consent at Navan Road on January 15th 2015; threatening to kill Mr Hurley and of assaulting the man, causing him harm, on the same occasion (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Mr Justice Paul Coffey then adjourned the bail hearing until the new year to see if tagging could be organised.
Places mentioned
- Navan Road
- Central Criminal Court
- Irish Prison
Topics
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