A Dubliner accused of sending a pig’s head to the home of a Garda has been remanded in custody after being extradited back from Spain.
This followed Judge Gerard Keyes remanding Brendan Mahony in custody pending his trial for the alleged offence of sending the pig’s head to the home of a Garda in January 2012.
At Ennis Circuit Court, solicitor for Brendan Mahony, Michael Hanahoe confirmed that his client would be pleading not guilty to the alleged offence when he stated that a trial will be required in the case.
Mr Hanahoe told the court that there would be no application for bail.
Mr Mahony – now sporting a grey beard – of 74 Cabra Park, Dublin 7 was initially due to stand trial for the alleged offence in 2013 but it didn’t proceed after Mr Mahony failed to turn up for a court appearance while on bail.
This occurred after Judge Keyes varied Mr Mahony’s bail conditions in June 2013 to allow him go on a sun holiday to Spain and he only returned from Spain yesterday – 21 months later – after being extradited back here by Gardai.
Judge Keyes varied the terms of bail in June 2013, noting that there was no objection from the State.
At the circuit court in July 2013, a bench warrant was issued for the arrest of Mr Mahony when he failed to show.
At Ennis Circuit Court, Asst State Solicitor, Aisling Casey told the court that Mr Mahony was due to arrive back at Dublin airport at lunchtime on a flight from Spain.
In court, Judge Keyes asked “Is this a case involving a head of an animal?”
In reply, Ms Casey said: “Yes judge.”
Judge Keyes said: “This is the man who went on two weeks holidays and didn’t come back?"
Ms Casey said: “Yes judge.”
Sgt Ronan O’Hara flew out to Madrid on Wednesday and accompanied Mr Mahony back on the Ryanair flight that arrived into Dublin airport today shortly after mid-day from Madrid.
In court, Sgt O’Hara gave evidence of executing the arrest warrant for Mr Mahony at Dublin airport.
Ms Casey told the court the State now has possession of Mr Mahony’s passport and applied that he be remanded in custody to Ennis Circuit Court for the call over of circuit court cases on March 23rd next.
Mr Hanahoe said that the accused has no issue with the application, but applied that he not be produced in court for that date.
Mr Hanahoe said: “A trial date will be sought on that date for the next sessions."
Judge Keyes said that he must be produced as he will be remanded in custody to that date.
He said: “He has to be present.”
Mr Hanahoe said that Mr Mahony is also applying that he be remanded to the Midlands prison.
Judge Keyes said that he would note that the application was made, but it was a matter for the prison authorities.
The remand prison for Co Clare is Limerick prison.
Judge Keyes granted legal aid to Mr Mahony for Mr Hanahoe and a junior counsel to represent him in the circuit court trial.
Mr Mahony is accused of posting a packet on January 26th 2012 that contained an article that was menacing – a pig’s head.
The charge is brought under legislation being contrary to Section 55 of the Communities Regulations (Postal Services) Act 2011.
A Garda investigation was launched in January in 2012 after the arrival of the severed animal’s head to the home of a Co Clare Garda.
Mr Mahony was first charged in relation to the alleged offence at Kilrush District Court in July 2012.
Previously, the court has been told that the trial will last three days.
