A Donegal man, who was extradited from Scotland, appeared before Buncrana District Court today charged with a number of offences relating to the Garda investigation into the death of Raphoe cattle dealer, Richie Barron.
Mr William Doherty (31), Doorible, Manorcunningham, is facing a total of seven charges connected to the Barron investigation, including one of attempting to pervert the course of justice and four charges of making menacing and extortionate phone calls to the Raphoe publican, Mr Frank McBrearty, snr.
It is alleged that the defendant attempted to extort £10,000 from Mr Frank McBrearty, snr., in order to suppress evidence he claimed to have that would implicate Mr Frank McBrearty, jnr., and Mr Mark McConnell, in the death of Mr Barron.
Mr Doherty, who the court heard, is married with one child, was arrested by Gardai when he returned from Scotland following the death of his mother in Donegal last Saturday.
Buncrana court heard that the accused was due to appear in court in September 2001, to face two charges of making false statements and wasting Garda time in relation to the Barron probe.
However, he failed to show up having left the jurisdiction to live in Scotland, Buncrana court heard. Supt. Hugh Coll, of the Carty Inquiry team, told Judge John O'Donnell, today, that Carty investigators then had to carry out "exhaustive enquiries" as to the defendant's whereabouts.
He added that Mr Doherty had been fighting his extradition to Ireland until the death of his mother, when he consented to his own extradition. His appeal of extradition proceedings was due to be heard in Scotland in January 2004. Objecting to bail today, Supt. Coll said: "I feel he (the defendant) would not return for trial."
Applying for bail, defence solicitor Mr Pasty Gallagher said his client had come back from Scotland by arrangement, and was there to meet the charges against him.