Pig’s head accused ‘believed to be living in Spain’

A man charged with sending a pig’s head to the home of a Garda remains at large.

At Ennis Circuit Court yesterday, Brendan Mahoney, aged 45, of 74 Cabra Park, Dublin 7, did not appear when his case was called.

Last July, a bench warrant was issued for his arrest when the accused failed to return to Ireland from a holiday in Spain.

At Ennis Circuit Court in June, Judge Gerald Keyes varied Mr Mahoney’s bail conditions and returned his passport to allow him go on his Mediterranean holiday.

Judge Keyes allowed Mr Mahoney collect his passport surrendered to gardaí from Henry St Station, Limerick, on July 3 and return it to gardaí by July 11.

Judge Keyes said that he varied the terms of bail, noting that there was no objection from the State.

Yesterday, counsel for the State, Stephen Coughlan BL, said: “There is a warrant out for this man. The man absconded and it is believed that he is living in Spain.”

Counsel for Mr Mahoney, Lorcan Connolly BL, said he had been unable to contact his client.

The judge said he would leave Mr Mahoney’s trial date of Oct 29 in place rather than vacate if the bench warrant is executed in the meantime. Mr Coughlan said: “It will require an international warrant and they take their own time.”

Mr Mahoney is accused of posting a packet on Jan 26 last year that contained an article that was menacing — a pig’s head.