A CO SLIGO man accused in connection with the killing of community activist Mr Terence Madden last month was freed on bail of £95,000 by the Special Criminal Court yesterday. The court freed Mr Michael Doohan on his own bail of £75,000 and two independent bonds of £10,000 each.
Mr Doohan (33), a single man and member of the Defence Forces, of Ashbury Lawn, Ballinode, Co Sligo, was charged on Wednesday with intentionally causing serious harm to Mr Madden at Monasteraden on January 28th last.
Mr Madden (52), a father of three, was shot in both legs as he got into his car in the driveway of his home at Monasteraden on January 28th and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Opposing bail, Insp Michael Barrett said that Mr Doohan had made a signed statement to gardai in which he had admitted having problems with the deceased and his family over a number of years.
Mr Doohan had said that he had got a "distinct hatred" towards Mr Madden and had got another person to carry out a "punishment style" attack on him which resulted in Mr Madden's death.
The inspector said that Mr Doohan had been born in England. His family moved back to Co Sligo in 1982 and he had joined the Defence Forces in 1984. He had been absent without leave from the Defence Forces for three years between 1989 to 1992 and had been court-martialled. He had been sentenced to a fine of five days' pay. The inspector said he believed there was a possibility that witnesses in the case might be intimidated if Mr Doohan was granted bail.
Mr Justice Frederick Morris, presiding, said that the chances of Mr Doohan getting a trial before next October were "extremely remote" and he would be in custody without trial for up to nine months which should be avoided. The court ordered Mr Doohan not to visit either Monasteraden or Gorteen, in Co Sligo; to report twice a week to Sligo Garda station, and not to approach anyone who might be a witness in the trial. He was remanded on bail until March 18th. On Wednesday, Mr Michael Joseph Herron (30), single, a native of Belleek, Co Fermanagh, with an address at Chapel Street, Ballyshannon, Co Donegal, was charged with the murder of Mr Terence Madden (52) at Monasteraden, Co Sligo, on January 28th.
He was also charged with possession of a sawn-off shotgun with intent to endanger life at Monasteraden on the same date. He was remanded in custody until March 18th.