A bail application by a former garda and Offaly football star, Patrick Spollen, who is due to appear at Bray District Court tomorrow charged with dangerous driving causing death, was opposed by gardai at the High Court yesterday.
Mr Spollen is detained in Arbour Hill prison charged with driving a vehicle at Fassaroe, Bray, Co Wicklow, on June 23rd, 1997, in a dangerous manner causing the death of Joseph Mulcahy. An application by Mr Spollen to be released on bail was adjourned yesterday by Mr Justice Kinlen until after tomorrow's district court hearing.
The judge described Mr Spollen as "unfortunate". He had become an alcoholic. It was sad to see somebody whose life had "gone to bits" because of alcoholism.
Mr Fachtna Whittle, solicitor for Mr Spollen, said in an affidavit his client was arrested last July 2nd at Dublin Airport.
Mr Whittle said he was instructed that following the accident Mr Spollen had lived in Molesworth House, Daingean, Co Offaly, until July 1997.
He later went to London and first became aware of the proceedings when he was served with them at Kilburn police station last June 15th. Garda Paul Roche, of Bray station, told the court that Mr Spollen must have been aware that charges might be preferred against him when he left the jurisdiction.
Asked by Mr Justice Kinlen why he had three different London addresses, Mr Spollen said that when he first arrived he had stayed in Peckham and later moved to north-west London, where he got work and played football.
Counsel for the DPP said Mr Spollen had five sisters who all indicated they were not prepared to go bail for him. Mr Spollen said he had little dealings with them and had never asked them to go surety for him.
Mr Spollen told Mr Justice Kinlen he would be prepared to reside at the Cluain Mhuire centre in Athy, Co Kildare, until his trial if granted bail.