'Mooning' Donegal student still in Senegalese jail

An Irish student jailed in west Africa for allegedly flashing his behind as a dare today had his bail hearing postponed.

Patrick Devine, from the seaside village of Dunfanaghy in Co Donegal, will have to spend at least another week behind bars in Senegal for the “mooning” incident.

His family – some of whom have travelled to the country – were devastated that the 19-year-old was not freed after spending three weeks in the Maison de la Correction prison.

Irish diplomats based at the embassy in neighbouring Nigeria will continue efforts throughout the week to secure the Queen’s University Belfast student’s release.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs is aware of today’s decision,” an official from the department confirmed.

“Our Consular staff from the Embassy in Nigeria will remain on in Senegal in the coming week in order to provide every possible assistance to the individual and his family. The Department remains actively engaged in the case.”

It is understood the judge deferred the bail hearing until next Friday when Mr Devine will again try to seek his release before standing trial for the alleged offence.

The engineering student was arrested on July 27 after allegedly dropping his trousers and “pulling a mooner” outside the home of one of the country’s governors in Saint Louis.

He has been working over the summer in the former French colony, as a volunteer helping street children with the Teaching and Projects Abroad (TPA) organisation.

It is understood he pulled the stunt as part of a series of dares made up by members of the group when he was spotted by a local man.

The man held him until the police arrived and after several days in police cells he was moved to La Maison de la Correction where he is reportedly sharing a cell with 40 other criminal suspects.

It is understood the jailed Donegal man’s mother Noreen, her brother and sister-in-law, travelled to Senegal where they have been visiting him in jail.

The student’s father, Patsy Devine, who runs a bar in Dunfanaghy, said: “I have no comment for the press, it’s a private matter.”

Messages of support continue to pour on to the student’s Bebo internet site homepage with dozens logging on to add their best wishes.

One, purporting to come from his cousin, Anna, in Dublin said: “Hope everything’s all right and you’ll be home soon. It’s really unfair of them putting you in jail, especially for this long!”

Another read: “Hope ya get out soon. You have a lot of support here in Ireland. You’ll prob even get to go on the Late Late [Show].”