The hearing of a charge of contempt of court against an American eye surgeon, sought by US authorities for allegedly failing to honour a maintenance agreement with his former wife, was adjourned to Monday in Loughrea Circuit Court.
Dr William Howard Porter (53), with an address in Kinsale, failed to appear before Loughrea Circuit Court on Thursday to answer charges relating to his maintenance agreement. A warrant was issued for his arrest, which took place in Killarney yesterday.
Dr Porter was being sought by the District Attorney's Office in Santa Barbara, California, for maintenance arrears to his former wife and four children totalling $1.3 million.
Dr Porter, who has remarried, holds US and Irish passports.
At a special sitting of the Western Circuit court in Killarney last night, Judge Harvey Kelly was told that yesterday afternoon Dr Porter had presented himself at Killarney Garda station, where he was arrested.
Dr Donal Coffey, of Killarney, told the court Dr Porter had come to his surgery on Tuesday last complaining of ill-health. He was transferred to the Bon Secours Hospital in Tralee by ambulance, where he stayed in the intensivecare unit until Thursday. Dr Porter said he was unable to attend the hearing at Loughrea due to his hospitalisation. He said he was not trying to avoid the courts. "No one is more anxious to get this matter sorted than me," he said.
He criticised Ms Laura Cleaves from the District Attorney's Office in Santa Barbara for speaking to the Irish media about the case.
He said he left the US because his life was in danger. He claimed his former wife and son had made death threats against him.
Judge Kenny accepted Dr Porter's reasons for not appearing before Loughrea Circuit Court. He ordered that he hand over his Irish passport.