Court imposes €75k bail on man accused of Smithfield slash hook attack

Bail has been set at €75,000 for a man accused of almost hacking another man's arm off with a slash hook during the Smithfield horse fair in Dublin in 2011.

Simon Quilligan, of no fixed abode, is awaiting trial after being brought back from the UK to face serious assault charges.

Three men were hospitalised after violent clashes broke out during the Smithfield horse fair on March 6, 2011.

Feuding Traveller families attacked each other with sticks and iron bars and shots were fired by a teenager armed with a homemade gun.

Simon Quilligan is due to stand trial accused of almost severing one man's arm off with a slash hook and causing serious head injuries to another.

He was refused bail after being extradited from the UK two months ago but the High Court has ruled he can be released if someone is willing to lodge €75,000 of their own money into court to ensure he shows up for his trial.

The court heard today that his family has come up with a third of the sum, but the judge refused to accept it and he will now have to go to the Supreme Court if he wants to appeal that decision.