Wanted businessman files another bail request

An Irish businessman wanted in the US for allegedly polluting San Diego Harbour has filed another request for bail.

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.

If the court denied bail, Mr O'Connor's defence lawyers Patrick Valentino and Stephen Tonna Lowell requested it to at least allow their client to go to his office for two hours every day to complete the handing over of his business.

However, Donatella Frendo Dimech, Head of the International Cooperation Unit at the Attorney General's Office, strongly objected to the request.

"He is in preventive custody and not in some half-way house which would allow similar excursions," she said.

Dr Frendo Dimech told the defence to file an application specifying exactly how many hours were needed to conclude the "so-called" handing over and why it had to be done at his office.

Magistrate Apap Bologna is expected to take a decision on the bail request next week.

Mr O'Connor's 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.

He owns a tug boat business in Malta and has instituted five cases, which are still pending, against local businesses.