From the Irish Times

Hungary issues second arrest warrant ; March 29, 2006

The Hungarian authorities have sent a second extradition warrant for a Co Meath man whose extradition to Hungary is being sought for him to serve a three-year sentence imposed there for negligent driving causing the death of two children. Ciarán Tobin (41), Cairn Manor, Ratoath, Co Meath, was convicted in his absence by a Hungarian court in 2002 of negligent driving causing the deaths of a five-year-old boy and a seven-year-old girl in Budapest in April 2000. A three-year sentence was imposed. Mr Tobin, a father-of-two and a senior manager with Irish Life plc, was arrested at his home last January on foot of a European arrest warrant issued by the Budapest authorities. At the time of the alleged offence, he had been working for Irish Life in Budapest for three years.The High Court was told yesterday that a second extradition warrant had arrived from the Hungarian authorities for the same offence. There was no explanation from the Hungarians as to why the second warrant was issued, the court heard.Mr Justice Michael Peart said he would not endorse the second warrant until he was given clarification as to why it was issued.Mr Tobin's counsel, David Keane, said the action of the Hungarian authorities could give rise to grave concern for his client. Mr Justice Peart adjourned the hearing to April 25th but gave counsel for the Minister for Justice liberty to re-enter the case if an issue arose. Mr Tobin has been freed on bail on his own bond of EUR 3,000 and a surety of EUR 6,000, and has been ordered to surrender his passport and to sign on three times a week at Ashbourne Garda station.
Copyright 2006 The Irish TimesAll Rights Reserved The Irish Times