A DEPARTMENT of Agriculture vet was charged at Dublin District Court yesterday with handling health certificates for cattle with intent to commit a crime.
Before the court was Mr Colm Fox (56), of Church Street, Skerries, Co Dublin, who is charged with having the documents in his possession at Monasterboice, Co Louth, on January 10th last.
Det Garda Gerry Nohilly, of the Central Detective Unit, told the court how Mr Fox was arrested and taken to Harcourt Terrace Garda station to be charged. After being cautioned, the accused replied "I don't have anything to say."
Garda Nohilly said gardai would be asking for a substantial bail to be set and asked that Mr Fox hand over his passport. He said they had information to say the accused intended leaving Ireland for Sudan to take up a position there.
Mr Garrett Sheehan, the defence solicitor, said his client was pleading not guilty. He said Mr Fox was prepared to hand over his passport and that his brother was prepared to go bail for him.
Judge Thomas Fitzpatrick granted the defendant bail in his own bond of £100,000 with an independent surety of £10,000 with a condition that he hand over his passport. He remanded him in custody with consent to the bail to appear again on April 30th next.
The defendant's brother, Mr John Fox, a farmer from Ballyboughal, Co Dublin, was then approved as surety for the accused, who was then released.