A CORK man and Co Cavan farmer were ordered by the High Court yesterday to pay £20,000 each which they had put up for bail for two Northern Ireland men who failed to appear in the Special Criminal Court last January. The DPP had originally sought the forfeiture of a total of £60,000 by the two men who went surety for three defendants.
The three defendants, Mr Hugh Torney (41), of Springfield Road, Belfast, Mr Sean Branniff (41), of Juniper Court, Twinbrook, Belfast, and Mr Desmond McCleary (41), of no fixed address, failed to turn up in court for their case.
Mr Justice Flood said on April 4th, 1995, the three men were arrested on suspicion of having firearms and explosives at Blackhall, Balbriggan, Co Dublin. They were charged before the Special Criminal Court.
Mr Anthony Callanan, Farranree, Cork, gave a surety of £20,000 for Mr McCleary. Mr Eugene Martin, Kingscourt, Co Cavan, gave sureties of £20,000 each for Mr Torney and Mr Branniff. The judge said Mr Branniff had now returned to the jurisdiction and was in custody. The others were still at liberty.
Mr Justice Flood said as far as Mr Callanan was concerned, going bail was a formality giving rise to little or no obligation. While Mr Martin was lulled into a false sense of security by Mr Branniff, he was fully aware that Mr Torney and Mr McCleary were absconding.