A PRISONER who was given temporary bail to attend his child’s first Holy Communion mass found the court’s support of his religious obligations didn’t extend as far as getting him dressed up for the event.
The man – who cannot be named for legal reasons – had asked the court through his solicitor to be allowed out of Limerick Prison, where he is on remand awaiting trial, to attend the family occasion.
Judge Patricia Harney agreed to the request and ordered that the man be released at 10am on the morning of May 16 to attend his child’s Holy Communion and that he return to the jail by 6pm that evening “in a sober condition”.
The accused man, who was attending the court via video link from the prison, asked the judge: “can I be let out a bit earlier so I can organise a suit?”
The Judge refused, saying “someone can bring you a suit”. She set the times for release based on the time that the Communion mass is to be celebrated.
The man was otherwise remanded in custody with consent to bail until he appears in connection with the offence he is accused of on May 26.