Irishman has €5m bail because he is 'flight risk'

An Irishman is being held on a bail of $5m (€5.06m) bail after being charged with murder for throwing another man overboard during a San Francisco party cruise because prosecutors fear he is a flight risk.

Prosecutor Hammer said Monaghan is considered a flight risk because he is an Irish citizen, and Superior Court Judge Peter Busch agreed to the high bail figure.

The incident happened during a Halloween fancy dress rave party on board the Royal Prince that set off from San Francisco’s famous Fisherman’s Wharf, police said.

Hammer said Monaghan told police he did not tangle with the victim but had consumed about eight alcoholic drinks with other partygoers that night.

But at least one witness said the defendant was seen picking up the victim and throwing him over the railing late in the evening, according to Hammer.

There is no evidence so far that the two men physically fought, the prosecutor added, but some witness reports indicate that Voilat may have tried to stop Monaghan from bothering women.

A witness told police that the incident happened after Monaghan had approached Voilat’s girlfriend on the deck.

Monaghan allegedly picked up Voilat and threw him over the rail at about 11:30 pm.

Monaghan, a tall slender man dressed in orange jail uniform stood in court with lawyer Brendon Wen, but did not enter a plea.

Wen said later he could not comment on the case but has spoken with his client, who is a carpenter.

The Royal Prince had been chartered by a rave production company known as Oblivion.

Disc jockey Johnny Brett told the San Francisco Chronicle he had organised the floating parties for four years without any serious problems and Saturday seemed no different at first.

The body of the victim has not been found. A Coast Guard officer said it is “difficult” to locate and rescue people from the Bay’s waters at any time, much less at night.

Lieutenant Commander Kevin Raimer said a man of Voilat’s age and body composition could remain conscious for more than five hours and might survive for nearly nine.

Assistant District Attorney Hammer said Monaghan has been charged with murder but it would be “later for the jury” to decide whether or not a first-degree or second-degree murder occurred that night.

Monaghan is due back in court tomorrow.