A JUDGE at the Old Bailey in London has turned down an appeal by the Crown Prosecution Service to refuse bail to Mr Michael Gallagher, who is facing charges in relation to the IRA mortar bomb attack at Heathrow Airport in 1994.
The Common Sergeant of London Judge Neil Denison, granted Mr Gallagher conditional bail yesterday on the grounds that he resides at a relative's address in south London, "24 hours a day".
Mr Gallagher was told he must not leave the address until he attends court on January 10th.
His passport is being held by police who were granted access to the south London address at any time under the bail conditions.
A spokesman for Belmarsh prison in south London, where Mr Gallagher has been held since November 1996, said the prison authorities would not comment on the date or time that he was due to be released, but it is understood that Mr Gallagher left Belmarsh prison yesterday afternoon.
Mr John O'Sullivan, of the Crown Prosecution Service, also refused to comment on Mr Gallagher's release.
Mr Gallagher has been charged with conspiracy to cause explosions, and providing a lockup garage and a car to an IRA cell operating in London in 1994.