Man accused of attempted murder is wanted in the UK

A hearing date has been set for a man wanted for attempted murder and grievous bodily harm in the UK.

Simeon Cosmo Langford, aged 32, AKA Luke Gillespie, with an address at Brigstock Rd, Bristol, is wanted in England to face charges on attempted murder, grievous bodily harm, theft, and assault.

Mr Langford is also wanted for allegedly breaching the conditions of his release from a prison sentence for grievous bodily harm.

According to a European arrest warrant issued in August 2015, Mr Langford was released on licence, otherwise known as parole, in the UK on May 6, 2015, and is alleged to have committed the offences for which he is sought on dates between June 2 and June 11, 2015.

The warrant alleges that he absconded and UK police believe he travelled to Ireland on June 13, 2015 using a passport in the name of Luke Gillespie.

He was arrested by gardaí in Cork in August 2015 and brought before the High Court. On that occasion, Mr Langford denied he was the person who was subject of the extradition request.

Last month in the High Court, counsel for Mr Langford, Ronan Munro BL, sought discovery of certain documents specific to his client’s security status in prison in England but this was refused.

Mr Munro said his client had complained about inhumane and degrading treatment in the past such as cleaner being put in his food and being put in punishment cells for longer than he ought to have been.

Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly said nothing had been put forward by Mr Langford apart from a statement as to prison conditions generally and she refused to order discovery of the documents.

Yesterday, Vincent Heneghan BL, for the minister, told the court that he was seeking a hearing date and the matter would take two hours.

The court fixed a date of May 4 for hearing and Mr Langford was remanded in custody until then.