Irishman wanted by US authorities denied bail

An Irishman living in Malta and wanted by the US authorities has been denied bail by Magistrate Miriam Hayman.

The man Joseph Anthony O’Connor, has a tugboat business here and employs 30 people. He is wanted by the southern district of California for allegedly discharging contaminates in San Diego Bay.

The man was arraigned yesterday and the prosecution’s primary objection to the granting of bail was that Mr O’Connor had no proper ties within the courts’ jurisdiction and might abscond.

The prosecution had pointed out that Mr O’Connor faced a lengthy prison term if found guilty and such awareness increased the fear of flight.

The defence had argued that he had enough ties to keep him in Malta including his home, his business and his employees.

Although not putting in doubt the commercial associations of Mr O’Connor in Malta’s jurisdiction, primarily his business and his property in Paola, the Court said it was of the opinion that these were not enough guarantee the Irishman’s presence for the continuance of the proceedings, neither did the fact that he had a number of employees.