Judge Daniel J. Stewart will decide on bail, extradition this week of the former GAA photographer Raymond Donlon accused of the sexual abuse of two teens, while in Ireland.
The fate of Raymond ‘Ray’ Donlon and his potential extradition back to his native Ireland remain undecided.
Read More: Sufficient evidence to warrant extradition of Raymond Donlon from NY
The Altamont Enterprise reports that a hearing on February 1 in upstate New York was meant to determine if Donlon’s case meets the legal criteria for “extraditability,” the first step in the extradition process.
Donlon, who has been living in the US for about three years, is facing extradition to his native Ireland after Irish authorities provided sufficient evidence of the nearly 400 sexual assault charges against Donlon.
If the presiding Judge Daniel J. Stewart rules that Donlon is extraditable, the United States Secretary of State would then make the decision about whether to extradite him.
During the February 1 hearing, Donlon’s defense team requested that their client be released on bail.
Federal public defender Michael McGeown-Walker said that Donlon suffers from long-standing health issues, including a weakened immune system from a congenital heart defect, diabetes, and “some fairly significant skin issues” which could make his time in jail “life-threatening.”
Judge Stewart noted that there is usually a presumption against bail in extradition cases, but that a bail request could be considered if there were special circumstances, such as Donlon’s health conditions.
Read More: Irish man in New York faces extradition charges on numerous sex offenses
McGeown-Walker said that his client has “received not so much as a traffic ticket” during his time in New York. He added that Donlon never fled Ireland, but rather pursued a lifelong dream in emigrating to the US after police in Ireland “declined” to meet with him.
This differs from the initial complaint which says search warrants were carried out in Ireland in hopes of locating Donlon.
Assistant United States Attorney Michael Barnett said that there have been no allegations made against Donlon since he’s been in New York.
Read More: Irish Court orders extradition of man to face charges over fatal US crash
Donlon’s team has requested he be released to his home in Guilderland, New York, or into the care of his older sister, Catherine, who spoke during the hearing.
The elder sister said she believes “with every fiber of her being” that her brother did not commit the crimes alleged against him.
Judge Stewart said he will make his decision regarding both bail and ‘extraditability’ “early next week.”
Comments