Prisoner denied bail to attend father's wedding at Donegal Hotel

A prisoner who is in Maghaberry Prison charged with a plethora of criminal offences has failed in his bid to be temporarily released from custody to be a groomsman at his father's wedding in Inishowen next month.

A barrister for Jordan Leighton, 26, from Drumard Park in Derry, made the failed bail application at the Bishop Street Magistrate's Court in Derry today, August 10.

Sean Doherty told District Judge Suzanne Rice that the applicant hoped to be groomsman at his father's wedding in the Redcastle Hotel, County Donegal, on September 4.

“It will be a special day for the family. It is proposed that he is released from Maghaberry Prison at 9am on the day of the wedding and to return to the prison by 11am the following day,” he said.

However, a detective constable objected to the compassionate bail application stating that the defendant was currently in custody charged with three separate files of offences including carrying an axe in a public place, causing criminal damage, burglaries and attempted burglaries between last June and last October.

“Given that the wedding is due to take place outside of the jurisdiction, it would be difficult for the police to monitor any bail conditions there. We believe if granted bail he would interfere with witnesses, that he would present a flight risk and there is also a fear, given his criminal record, of re-offending,” the officer said.

Refusing bail, the District Judge said she noted that the applicant had failed to comply with numerous court orders in the past.

“I see from your record that you have fifty-nine previous convictions, fifteen of them for burglaries, three for thefts, one for going equipped and numerous others. On top of that, you also have fourteen previous breaches of bail.”

“Against that background, I am concerned you would not return to the jurisdiction; therefore, I am refusing this compassionate bail application on the basis of a fear of re-offending and a risk of flight,” she said.

Meanwhile, the three current case files against Leighton were all adjourned until August 24.