A MAN facing a firearm and a drugs charge that carries possible life imprisonment has been refused permission at a sitting of Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to visit Amsterdam to celebrate his birthday.
Christopher O’Connor (20), Lusk, Co Dublin, who is charged with unlawful possession of a Webley revolver and having cannabis for supply on March 23rd, 2008, failed in his application to have his passport returned so he could travel to Amsterdam in September.
Judge Rory McCabe said after hearing Mr O’Connor’s evidence, that due to the seriousness of the charges, he was refusing his application to have his passport returned to him for the visit to Holland.
“There is a possible life sentence involved in this matter,” the judge said.
Garda Brian Healy objected to his application due to what he called “the seriousness of the charges and the possibility he mightn’t return to Ireland for his case”.
Garda Healy agreed with defence counsel Martina Baxter that Mr O’Connor had abided up to now with all of his bail conditions, including signing-on, and that he had been co-operative at all times.