David Drumm to appeal latest bail refusal

Former Anglo Irish Bank chief executive David Drumm has lodged an appeal against last week's decision of a US court to deny him bail in advance of his forthcoming extradition hearing.

Mr Drumm has already been twice refused bail in relation to the matter and remains in the custody of US marshals at a prison close to Boston.

The 49-year-old Dubliner has appealed the latest ruling, made on January 11th, to the First Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston, which is located in the same courthouse where he has already appeared in chains three times since being arrested on Ireland’s extradition request last October. His extradition hearing is due to take place in March.

The presumption in a case such as this is against bail, making Mr Drumm’s case extremely difficult. To be successful, he would need to prove special circumstances that would justify his release in bail.

The Irish extradition request relates to charges linked to transactions at Anglo in 2008, when Mr Drumm led the bank.

Mr Drumm’s failed attempt to be declared bankrupt in the US is already before the First Circuit of Appeals, which he wants to overturn the second denial of his efforts to discharge a €10 million debt to Anglo Irish.