Jonathan Hawthorn granted compassionate bail to attend father’s funeral

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Jonathan Hawthorn was granted compassionate bail by the Special Criminal Court so he could attend his father’s funeral. Hawthorn, aged 44, lived at Ballintyre Downs in Ballinteer. The proceedings were reported on 20 September 2016.

He had appeared at a special, out-of-term sitting of the non-jury court the previous Friday. His co-accused were James Geraghty, of Dolphin House in Dolphin's Barn, and Donal O Ceallaigh, of Beach Road, Sandymount. Each faced a charge alleging membership on 14 September of an unlawful organisation identified as the Irish Republican Army, Oglaigh na hÉireann or the IRA.

At Tuesday’s hearing, State counsel Ms Anne-Marie Lawlor BL said ordinary bail would be strongly opposed, but compassionate bail was consented to following the death of Hawthorn’s father. Counsel also confirmed consent to his application for legal aid.

Ms Lawlor outlined requirements for a personal bond of €6,000, residence at a Dublin city address and signing on at Kevin Street Garda station. A curfew ran from 12am to 7am. Hawthorn had to promise to remain within the jurisdiction, hand over his passport and make no application for replacement travel documents.

The conditions barred contact with potential prosecution witnesses. They also prohibited association with his co-accused and with anyone charged with, or convicted of, a scheduled offence. Attendance at republican gatherings or commemorations was forbidden. He was required to keep the peace, behave well and give gardaí a mobile telephone number.

Ms Lawlor said Hawthorn had to report to Portlaoise Prison no later than 6.30pm on Thursday. Mr Justice Tony Hunt presided alongside Judge Martin Nolan and Judge Cormac Dunne. The judges remanded all three accused in custody until 24 October, allowing them to apply for bail.