A wealthy Irish businessman is prepared to put up bail for an American man who is facing extradition to the US on charges arising from a traffic accident in which three students died, the High Court heard yesterday.
Frederick David Russell (26), who is alleged to have skipped bail in Washington State on charges of vehicular homicide and vehicular assault, was arrested just over a week ago.
When the matter came before Mr Justice Philip O'Sullivan yesterday, the court was told that Mr Russell's Irish girlfriend and an Irishman who does business in London were prepared to offer bail for him.
At the time of his arrest, Mr Russell had been living under an alias with his girlfriend in Celbridge, Co Kildare.
He is wanted by the US authorities in connection with an accident on June 4th, 2001, near Pullman, Washington, when his vehicle allegedly ploughed into a car carrying students from the nearby Washington State University. Three of the students were killed and two were injured.
Mr Russell, who suffered only minor injuries, was charged and released on bail to the custody of his father, an attorney.
Solicitor John O'Leary, representing Mr Russell, asked the court to adjourn the bail application until the businessman, who was not named, came to court.
The bail application was adjourned to November 8th.