A SPECIAL sitting of Cork District Court was told last night that if a Cork man was granted bail there would be fears for his safety.
Mr David Todd (18) of St Michael's Road, Farranree, Cork, appeared before District Judge Uinsionn Mac Gruairc, charged with taking a vehicle without the consent of its owner in Cork city on March 17th.
The judge was told that there would probably be further and more serious charges against the defendant, and that as feelings were running high in the Farranree area it would be better for his own safety if he was remanded in custody. The accused had agreed to this.
Judge Mac Gruairc said he could not consider safety as the grounds on which to remand a defendant in custody. Instead he remanded Mr Todd in custody with consent to bail on his own recognisance of £100 as well as an independent surety of £3,000. Mr Todd is due in court again today.
Dressed in black jeans, black shoes and a grey hooded sweat shirt which was pulled over his head as he arrived in court, Mr Todd remained motionless throughout the hearing.
When he left the court in the back of a Garda car, he lay flat one the back seat, again with his head covered. The judge granted the defendant legal aid.