Man claimed to have sent pig head to garda's home escorted to Ireland

Gardaí are today escorting back to Ireland from Spain a man charged with sending a pig's head to the home of a garda.

At Ennis Circuit Court this morning, Asst State Solicitor Aisling Casey told the court that Brendan Mahoney, 47, is due to arrive back at Dublin airport this lunchtime on a flight from Spain.

This follows gardaí executing a European arrest warrant for Mr Mahony’s arrest.

In court today, Judge Gerard 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.”

Ms Casey said that the law requires that Mr Mahony of 74 Cabra Park, Dublin 7 appear before a court in the circuit later today for the execution of Mr Mahony’s bench warrant.

In July 2013, a bench warrant was issued for Mr Mahony’s arrest when the accused failed to return to Ireland from a sun-holiday in Spain.

The previous month, Judge Keyes varied Mr Mahony’s bail conditions and returned his passport to allow him go on his Mediterranean holiday.

Judge Keyes said that he varied the terms of bail, noting that there was no objection from the State.

Following the extradition back to Ireland, Mr Mahoney will stand trial later this year at Ennis Circuit Court where 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 new 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 Mahoney 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.