THE HIGH Court has again adjourned an application for bail by former Workers’ Party president Seán Garland pending extradition proceedings brought by the US over his alleged involvement in a counterfeiting operation.
Mr Justice John MacMenamin yesterday adjourned 75-year-old Mr Garland’s application for bail to today after being informed an electronic tagging system is not available.
The judge adjourned the application after requesting Mr Garland’s passport, deeds of his house and other documentation be produced in court today.
The judge added that he was not indicating at this stage whether or not he would grant bail.
On Wednesday, the judge had adjourned the matter to see if it was possible for Mr Garland to be fitted with an electronic tagging device. Following inquiries to the Prison Service, Department of Justice and Garda Síochána, the judge was told yesterday that the practice is not used in Ireland. Mr Garland was arrested in Dublin last month on foot of a warrant seeking his extradition and has been in custody since.
The US authorities claim Mr Garland, Navan, Co Meath, conspired with others outside the US as part of a counterfeiting operation involving almost perfect copies of US dollars.
It is alleged the counterfeiting also involved the government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
The State is opposing bail based on its claim that Mr Garland represents a flight risk. If bail is granted, the State wants the conditions to include three sureties of €75,000 each, counsel added.
The court was told Mr Garland is prepared to surrender his passport, reside at his home address in Co Meath, sign on regularly with the Garda and surrender himself if his extradition is ordered.