Mayo for Sam, says McGeever after bail hearing

Former millionaire property developer Kevin McGeever said he hopes Mayo finally win the All-Ireland football title after he was released on bail at Harristown District Court yesterday.

The 68-year-old, with an address at Nirvana, Ballywinna, Craughwell, Co Galway, appeared at Harristown court yesterday after he had the terms of his bail amended at the High Court on Thursday.

Mr McGeever was released on bail to appear at Loughrea District Court on Sep 4 when the book of evidence is expected to be served.

After his release from Castlerea Prison, where he had been remanded for the last two-and-a-half weeks, Mr McGeever said he was “feeling fine”.

“It’s not about being happy to be out. I’m looking good and feeling fine.

“I am a west of Ireland man and I hope Mayo win the All-Ireland. To be honest I don’t want to say too much, you are lucky I’ve said that much.

“I have not said one word to the media just yet. Not one word, but I mean ‘yet’,” he said.

Judge Conal Gibbons was told that Mr McGeever had taken up bail in the High Court.

He also consented that the timing for preparation of the book of evidence for Mr McGeever be extended to Sep 4.

The former millionaire developer originally appeared at Strokestown District Court last month on two charges under section 12A and 12B of the 1976 Criminal Law Act, regarding the wasting of Garda time between Jan 29 and Feb 28 this year.

The charges follow a Garda investigation which was launched in January after McGeever was found on a roadside in Co Leitrim. He had been reported missing in May 2012, and was not seen until January this year when he was found by a passerby.

Solicitor Joan Devine appeared on behalf of Mr McGeever, who engaged with members of the public in the public gallery before his hearing.

He was dressed in dark blue jeans, a black leather jacket, a red-and-white striped shirt and wore sun glasses.

At his original hearing, bail had been set at his own bond of €2,500 and independent surety of €10,000, with a minimum of €3,000 of that to be cash.

His solicitor sought to have the original terms of his bail amended because he was not in a position to come up with the cash.

His amended bail terms include that he reside at an address at Brooklawn, Clontarf, Dublin, sign on three times a week with gardaí, surrender his travel documents, and on his own bond of €10,000.