Man who fears for his life if deported is charged with escaping from custody

The court heard that the accused said when charged: 'I will be killed if I return to Egypt because I am gay.'

The defendant is charged with escaping from custody as he was being taken into Cork Prison. File picture: Dan Linehan

A man facing deportation who believes he will be killed if he is sent back to Egypt may be served with a book of evidence on July 7 or else he can sign a plea of guilty to charges of assaulting a garda and escaping from custody.

34-year-old Ahmed Ibrahim of The Cooperage, Bohereencael, Killarney, County Kerry, is charged with escaping from custody as he was being taken into Cork Prison, and assault causing harm to Garda Marian McCarthy at Cork Prison on January 15, allegedly arising out of the same incident.

Judge Valerie Corcoran was told that a solicitor remains on record but the accused did not have legal representation in court for his latest appearance because of the dispute between solicitors and the minister for justice about payments on free legal aid.

Sergeant John Dineen said prosecution evidence would be disclosed to the defendant so that a plea of guilty or not guilty could be considered.

“We will be in a position to serve a book of evidence on July 7,” Sgt Dineen said.

Sergeant Dineen said there was a direction from the DPP for prosecution on indictment.

Detective Sergeant Ernie Henderson said the accused man replied when charged: “I will be killed if I return to Egypt because I am gay.”