Longford District Court: Amendments to bail conditions

A man who appealed a number of bail conditions was refused an application to lift a restriction on driving imposed at a previous Longford District Court sitting.

Solicitor Brid Mimnagh made an appeal to Judge Shalom Binchy on behalf of her client, Tommy McGinley (41) of 10 Palace Drive, Ardnacassa, Longford.

The defendant was granted bail in connection with an alleged car ramming incident in a Longford housing estate that left another man in hospital.
At the previous sitting of Longford District Court Mr McGinley was charged with dangerous driving at Legion Terrace, Longford on September 16. It is alleged that a man in his 20s was taken to Tullamore's Midland Regional Hospital for treatment to non-life threatening injuries as a result of the incident.

Ms Mimnagh asked for the lifting of three conditions imposed at the previous week's hearing. The solicitor asked to change the location of her client's sign on condition, the removal of conditions relating to contacting one of the witnesses in the case and the lifting of a ban on driving.
Ms Mimnagh explained that Mr McGinley has moved in with his sister in a rural part of Tipperary and has had an offer of a job.

The solicitor said without a vehicle her client will be unable to take up the work offer. A letter in respect of the job offer was handed in to court.
Sgt Enda Daly, for the State, objected to the removal of the bail condition relating to driving.
Sgt Daly said it will be alleged that the defendant used a van to ram another vehicle.

The Garda presenter said one alleged victim sustained abrasions to their face and a passenger in the vehicle dislocated their ankle.
Judge Binchy said while she had no difficulty changing the location of the sign on obligation and the lifting of the contact with the witness, she believed “a variations on the restrictions on driving would amount to an appeal”.

The judge lifted the first two conditions and refused the third application.
Mr McGinley is remanded on bail to a sitting of Longford District Court on November 21.