A District Court judge yesterday refused an application for the release of a Las Vegas man who a senior garda alleges was involved in "an international conspiracy to murder".
At Ennis District Court yesterday, the solicitor for Essam Eid (52), Siobhán McMahon, sought the release of Mr Eid and the charge against him to be struck out over the State's failure to have the book of evidence completed.
Mr Eid is charged with conspiring with Sharon Collins of Ballybeg House, Kildysart Rd, Ennis, Co Clare, to murder Ms Collins's partner's two sons, local businessmen Robert and Niall Howard, in the State some time between August 16th and September 26th of last year.
Supt John Scanlan of Ennis Garda station sought additional time for the book of evidence to be served. Supt Scanlan said that the case before the court involves "an international conspiracy to murder" with the Garda investigation taking place in four countries.
He said: "The case is essentially where the State alleges that the conspiracy to murder came about through the use of internet and telephone contacts." He added it was a an extremely complicated case and that Garda inquiries have taken place in the US, Ireland and mainland Spain. "We are in the final stages of preparing the book of evidence," he said.
State solicitor Martin Linnane told the court he would "prepare the book of evidence as soon as possible". Mr Eid has been in custody for almost one year. He was arrested and subsequently charged with making an unwarranted demand with menaces for €100,000 to cancel a contract on the lives of Robert Howard, Niall Howard and PJ Howard.
Mr Eid was due to appear for trial at Ennis Circuit Court on June 26th last, but the state entered a nolle prosequi - it opted not to proceed in relation to the charge. Mr Eid was then re-arrested in relation to the conspiracy to murder charge.
Ms McMahon said: "The book of evidence in the two cases are very similar and we can't understand how my client has been left to languish in jail. We were told two weeks ago that the State was more than halfway through preparing the book of evidence, but then it becomes another two weeks and another two weeks."
Preparation of the book involves five computers being examined at Garda headquarters. Judge Mangan remanded Mr Eid in custody to re-appear before Ennis District Court on September 21st and extended the period for the State to provide the Book of Evidence.
Ms McMahon asked if the book is not ready by the adjourned date that Judge Mangan would strike out the charge. Judge Mangan refused.
Mr Eid's co-accused, Sharon Collins, is currently on bail and is due to reappear before Ennis District Court later this month.
