Man charged with attempted murder refused compassionate bail to visit newborn

Sean McVeigh (35) from Victoria St is charged with attempted murder and possessing explosives with intent to endanger life on June 18 last year.

The charges are linked to an under-car bomb on the vehicle of a serving police officer.

At Derry Magistrates Court yesterday (Tuesday) a solicitor for McVeigh applied for a five-hour compassionate bail to allow his client to visit his wife and new-born child.

The solicitor said there was precedent for such releases and McVeigh could be accompanied by a solicitor or a clergyman.

He added that due to the European Arrest Warrant there would be no point in McVeigh fleeing the jurisdiction.

The judge heard the High Court had refused McVeigh bail last week on the grounds of the risk of further offences.

A prosecution lawyer argued yesterday that there was no reason why McVeigh’s partner and the child could not visit him.

His solicitor, however, said there was every incentive for his client to turn up for his trial and added that others charged with ‘the most serious offences’ had been granted compassionate bail in the past.

Deputy District Judge Harry McKibbon said given the charges faced by McVeigh, he considered there was a ‘genuine risk of flight’.

He refused the application.