A MAN living in Meath has secured conditional bail pending the outcome of his appeal to the Supreme Court against an order for his extradition to Britain on charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice.
The High Court earlier this month ordered the extradition of Sheffield-born Anthony Hill (60) Carrick Street, Kells, on charges of sending a controversial DVD to a judge and jury foreman during a trial relating to bomb attacks in London.
When granting bail yesterday, pending Mr Hill’s appeal against that order, Mr Justice Michael Peart criticised the fact he and another High Court judge had been sent several packages which he believed contained DVDs and other materials relating to the case.
Mr Hill has described himself as a “high priest” of a church called “The Way” and it is believed the material was sent by members of that church.
However, the fact he had been sent such material, which he had not opened, was not a reason to refuse Mr Hill bail, the judge said.
On the evidence, he added, it was unlikely Mr Hill was responsible for this material being posted to the courts. He asked Mr Hill to do what he could to ensure that no further packages were sent. The judge made an order remanding Mr Hill in custody with consent to bail in his own bond of €5,000 and an independent surety of €1,000.
Mr Hill also must sign on three times a week with the Garda in Kells, surrender his passport and not seek travel documents.
The State had objected to Mr Hill being granted bail on grounds he represented a flight risk but Mr Hill denied he would not turn up for court. He said he has been in Ireland for the last 10 years and always turned up in court when previously on bail.
The extradition of Mr Hill arising from the trial of several persons on conspiracy charges related to the July 7th, 2005, attacks on the London underground and a London bus.
Mr Hill is alleged to have sent several copies of a DVD entitled 7/7 Ripple Effect to the judge and the foreman of a jury at the trial of people allegedly involved in assisting the 2005 bombings.
The 7/7 Ripple Effect is a film available on the internet which alleges that persons accused of involvement in the bombings are innocent and that the bombings were an “inside job”, perhaps involving state intelligence agencies in either Britain or Israel.