Prisoner's plea to go to brother's funeral

on 15/09/2012 00:00:00

The discovery of the body of 53-year-old Christopher Jackson resulted in two men facing charges in relation to the case.

Yesterday, at Cork District Court, the deceased man's brother, Peter Jackson, 38, of 18 Fairhill Rd, Cork, made an application for bail to attend his brother's funeral next week.

Mr Jackson is in custody in Limerick Prison on a serious assault charge.

Solicitor Eddie Burke said prisoners were sometimes released on compassionate grounds to attend funerals, at the discretion of the prison governor. He said that a prisoner could either attend on his own or with a prison escort.

Mr Burke said a complicating factor in Mr Jackson's case was that the accused had been refused bail on the charge against him and was on remand in Limerick Prison.

Mr Jackson is accused of assault causing serious harm to David Hamilton at 18 Fairhill Rd on May 4. Mr Hamilton died a few days later.

Mr Burke applied for Jackson to be granted bail on the serious assault charge so that he could attend the funeral on a day, yet to be confirmed, next week.

"The prison governor's hands are tied because Mr Jackson is on remand on this," said Mr Burke.

Insp Gary McPolin said that gardaí were objecting to bail.

Judge O'Leary adjourned the application to Cork District Court on Monday for the governor of Limerick Prison, or a state solicitor representing him, to attend court to clarify the position.