Pig’s head accused allowed to jet off on his holidays

A man charged in connection with sending a pig’s head to the home of a garda has been allowed leave the country to go on a Mediterranean sun holiday.

At Ennis Circuit Court yesterday, Judge Gerald Keyes gave permission for Brendan Mahoney, aged 45, of 74 Cabra Park, Dublin 7, to go to his unnamed sun destination for one week in July.

Varying Mr Mahoney’s bail conditions, Judge Keyes is to allow Mr Mahoney to collect his passport, which had been surrendered to gardaí, from Henry St Garda Station, Limerick, on Jul 3 and return it to gardaí on Jul 11.

Mr Mahoney’s holiday dates from Jul 4 to 10.

Counsel for the State, Stephen Coughlan BL, said there was no State objection to varying Mr Mahoney’s bail conditions.

Judge Keyes said: “In light of what I have just been told and I note there is no objection from the State to the variation of the bail terms between Jul 4 and Jul 10, I vary the bail terms to cover that period as set out.”

In the case, Mr Mahoney is accused of posting a package on Jan 26 last year that contained a menacing article — a pig’s head.

The charge is brought under new legislation being contrary to section 55 of the Communities Regulations (Postal Services) Act 2011.

A Garda investigation was launched in January of last year after the arrival of the severed animal’s head to the home of a Co Clare garda.

Mr Mahoney was first charged in relation to the alleged offence at Kilrush District Court in July of last year.

The case has been adjourned a number of times before Ennis Circuit Court.

Mr Mahoney’s trial is expected to take three days and is due to get under way before a jury at the circuit court later this year.