A man living in Co Cork who faces multiple charges of allegedly defrauding a number of American banks of millions of dollars has been granted bail in the High Court.
Mr Justice Kelly was told the US authorities were seeking an extradition order in the Dublin District Court against Mr Albert John Oldridge (69), Caheragh, Drimoleague, Co Cork.
He is accused of conspiring to defraud Swiss Cantobank, National Bank of Michigan and Mannistee Security Bank of between $3.5 and $15 million dollars.
The District Court heard Mr Oldridge made no reply when asked if he knew what the warrant for his extradition was about and he was remanded to appear again on August 12th.
Yesterday Dr Michael Forde SC, defending, told Mr Justice Kelly that four weeks ago Mrs Oldridge had been informed her husband's extradition was being sought by the US authorities.
Mr Oldridge had been abroad at the time but returned last week and surrendered to gardai at Dublin's Bridewell Garda station in order to deal with the extradition warrant.
Dr Forde said the Attorney General here was acting as the agent for the US government in the extradition application and had agreed to bail on the basis of a £5,000 cash lodgment.
Mr Justice Kelly granted bail following sworn undertakings from Mr Oldridge that the £5,000 would be lodged in court and that he would reside at his Drimo league home. He also undertook to surrender his British passport and not to apply for an Irish one and report twice weekly to Bantry gardai.