Donegal man extradited to face charges over alleged 2019 assault in Letterkenny

A Donegal businessman has been extradited from England to face charges that he assaulted a man in a Letterkenny hotel almost six years ago.

Property developer Anthony Sharkey appeared at Letterkenny District Court before Judge Brendan O'Reilly.

The 52-year-old, with addresses in both Falcarragh and the Isle of Man, is charged with assault causing harm to another man at the Mount Errigal Hotel on December 31, 2019.

The accused was detained by British police after he tried to board a flight from Bristol Airport, travelling to Spain on July 11. Airport police realised that an arrest warrant was out for Sharkey as a result of the incident.

The court heard that Sharkey, with an address at Highcroft, Douglas in the Isle of Man, did not fight the EU/UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) warrant. He appeared at Letterkenny District Court accompanied by his brother.

Gardai said they were objecting to bail for the married father-of-three, claiming they feared he would flee the jurisdiction if released on bail. Garda Michael Rafferty, of Letterkenny Garda Station, gave details of the alleged incident in which a man was attacked in the hotel six years ago.

The court was told the man received a number of facial lacerations and had to attend Letterkenny University Hospital for stitches to two separate wounds.

Garda Rafferty said Gardai had tried extensively to contact Sharkey after he fled on the night of the incident in a taxi. As part of their investigation, he added that Gardai had CCTV footage which showed the accused at the scene of the incident.

Barrister for Sharkey, Mr Gareth McGrory, BL, instructed by solicitor Frank Dorrian, said his client was going on a family holiday to Madrid when stopped by British police and did not try to evade extradition in any way. He said his client also had an address in Ballina, Falcarragh and was prepared to hand up his passport to Gardai, sign on at a local Garda station and give an undertaking not to leave the jurisdiction.

Mr McGrory said he had spoken to his client and that he was happy he could operate his business from Donegal and carry out appointments remotely.

However, Garda Rafferty said that An Garda Síochána were still objecting to bail in the case. Having considered the bail application, Judge Brendan O'Reilly said he was granting bail but with a number of conditions.

He sought a surety of €10,000 as well as a cash lodgement of €10,000. He also ordered Sharkey to reside at his address at Ballina, Falcarragh, sign on twice a week at Letterkenny Garda Station, provide Gardai with a mobile phone number and not to leave the jurisdiction unless by agreement with Gardai. Judge O'Reilly adjourned the case until September 17.