Irish businessman wanted in the US

An Irish businessman who owns a tug boat business in Malta was arraigned yesterday after the US issued an arrest warrant against him for allegedly polluting San Diego harbour.

Joseph O'Connor, 58, is contesting an extradition request from the authorities in the Southern District of California after allegedly dumping chemicals into the harbour between January 15 and April 1, 2006. He is also wanted for counterfeiting and forgery.

His photo and details have appeared on the Interpol website, in the wanted section, which gives a detailed description of him and the crimes he is said to have committed.

Arguing against the granting of bail, lawyer Elaine Rizzo, representing the Attorney General, told the court the charges were serious and that he was facing up to 33 years in jail if found guilty. Therefore, he might leave the island in the same way he had left America.

Defence lawyers Joseph Giglio, Stephen Tonna Lowell and Patrick Valentino said Mr O'Connor had left the US in a normal way and not to abscond.

They said he employed 30 people and remanding him in custody would put them in jeopardy too. In fact, his ties with Malta were so strong that there were five pending cases against businesses, all of which he had instituted, so it was in his interest to stay.

Magistrate Miriam Hayman asked the prosecution and the defence to bring forward the evidence to back up their claims before she decides on bail this morning.