An official inquiry is expected into how a man charged with having drugs with an estimated value of £1.5 million was freed on bail, despite having been remanded in custody. The man appeared at a remand hearing in court last Monday, where several gardai asked him why he was not in custody. He explained that he had been freed on bail. After he left, the court issued a warrant for his re-arrest.
Mr Denis Mulligan (53) had been remanded in custody at Dublin District Court on Monday of last week, after being charged with possessing 150 kg of cannabis, at Glasnevin, Dublin. He was to appear before the court again last Monday. However, the court was told that he had been freed on bail of £350.
Yesterday, it appeared that an administrative error in the courts service led to the issue of a warrant allowing release on bail.
Mr Mulligan was committed to Mountjoy Prison on Monday last week, after his first court appearance. Sources said a warrant was later sent to the jail, which allowed for release if £350 was paid.
The warrant was read to the prisoner, in accordance with standard procedures. It is understood that he then made contact with a relative and the money was paid last Friday. When the case came up again last Monday, the court was told that Mr Mulligan had been freed. However, he appeared in the courtroom and, according to sources, several gardai spoke to him.
He told them he had got bail the previous Friday. They had understood, from the earlier court hearing, that he was not to be granted bail.
As the question of how Mr Mulligan had come to be free on bail was being considered by the court, Mr Mulligan left the courtroom. Later a warrant was issued for his arrest.