Sentence on a Clare man who had been extradited from England for sentence for buggery has been adjourned again so that his English employer and his partner can attend to give evidence on his behalf.
Graham Haugh, now 20, of Drumina, Dysart, Ennis, was extradited back to Ireland in August having failed to appear for sentence in November 2005 and is now in custody.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court was told at a vacation sitting in August that Haugh had joined the British army under an assumed name following his failure to appear for sentence on November 17th, 2005, while on bail. Haugh was found guilty by a jury on March 31st, 2004, following a 10-day trial before Judge Yvonne Murphy of buggering and sexually assaulting a boy of 11 three years earlier.
Judge Murphy had placed him under the care of the Probation Service for assessment and adjourned his sentence but issued a bench warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear in November 2005.
Michael Bowman, defending, told Judge Murphy that Haugh had been "in regular employment" while in England and had also formed a relationship with a woman there. Mr Bowman requested the adjournment of sentence to a later date so that Haugh's employer and partner could give character evidence.
He also said Haugh was benefiting from medical services while in custody and the adjournment would allow time for preparation of reports for the court. These reports would be made available to the court and the prosecution at least 10 days prior to the next hearing.
Mary Rose Gearty, prosecuting, agreed to the adjournment and to a suggestion by Mr Bowman that the sentence hearing could be brought forward if a date earlier to December could be found and arrangements made for Judge Murphy to attend.