THE release on bail of a man charged with the murder of Francis White from Dundalk has prompted the Irish community in New York to put pressure on the district attorney to have the bail revoked.
Mr Jamie Carr of Howard Beach, Queens, New York, was charged with murdering Mr White (29) on August 13th. He surrendered to police last week in the company of his lawyer. Bail was set at $125,000, (£78,000) after the District Attorney's office agreed to the deal in advance of Mr Carr surrendering.
The move alarmed the Irish community and the victim's family. Mr White's brother, Breen, who will meet the Queens DA, Mr Richard Brown, today, wants members of the community to sign a petition urging that Mr Carr be remanded in custody until his trial.
The Fianna Fail chief whip and Louth TD, Mr Dermot Ahern, has intervened with the Government on their behalf.
""As a lawyer I know the rule of law takes its course, but people are bemused and worried about the way in which this was handled," he said.
Mr Breen White said the prosecutor, Mr Felice Sontupe, told him the only way they could get Mr Carr to surrender was by offering this deal.