RCNI Press Release 10 April 2008
Decision to give bail to rapist with history of absconding baffling
Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) today reacted with surprise that a rapist, Anthony Abimbola, with a history of absconding was given bail by Justice Michael Peart pending the hearings around an extradition warrant.
Fiona Neary, RCNI Director, said ‘Justice Peart’s decision to grant bail to Anthony Abimbola is baffling. Mr Abimbola, a convicted rapist in Germany and is currently fighting extradition to serve his 5 year sentence. It seems clear to the RCNI that this man is at a high risk of absconding. There is no question that Mr Abimbola is guilty and duly convicted of rape, neither is his 5 year sentence in question. What we know is that he has chosen to abscond from Germany rather than serve that sentence. He has lived here under a different name and when the Gardai caught up with him he appears to have again tried to evade justice. Why would an Irish judge grant bail to someone with this history and with only a paltry €600 as security?’
There are recent examples in Ireland of individuals at high risk of absconding who have been given bail and who have then fled the country and escaped justice.
• March 2006, Adriano Kiel took the opportunity presented by bail pending sentencing to abscond to Brazil,
• Virginlijus Bagdonas in late 2006 absconded before being convicted of rape in his absence,
• Michael Moran who was finally returned to Ireland late last year, 8 years after absconding, to serve his sentence for rape.
Notes:
• The RCNI is the national Rape Crisis Sector body, which provides a strong voice for survivors and is a catalyst for social change to end rape and all forms of sexual violence.
For information contact:
Cliona Saidlear: 087 2196447
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Fiona Neary, RCNI Director, said ‘Justice Peart’s decision to grant bail to Anthony Abimbola is baffling. Mr Abimbola, a convicted rapist in Germany and is currently fighting extradition to serve his 5 year sentence. It seems clear to the RCNI that this man is at a high risk of absconding. There is no question that Mr Abimbola is guilty and duly convicted of rape, neither is his 5 year sentence in question. What we know is that he has chosen to abscond from Germany rather than serve that sentence. He has lived here under a different name and when the Gardai caught up with him he appears to have again tried to evade justice. Why would an Irish judge grant bail to someone with this history and with only a paltry €600 as security?’
There are recent examples in Ireland of individuals at high risk of absconding who have been given bail and who have then fled the country and escaped justice.
• March 2006, Adriano Kiel took the opportunity presented by bail pending sentencing to abscond to Brazil,
• Virginlijus Bagdonas in late 2006 absconded before being convicted of rape in his absence,
• Michael Moran who was finally returned to Ireland late last year, 8 years after absconding, to serve his sentence for rape.
Notes:
• The RCNI is the national Rape Crisis Sector body, which provides a strong voice for survivors and is a catalyst for social change to end rape and all forms of sexual violence.
For information contact:
Cliona Saidlear: 087 2196447
……………..End…………………