A man charged with causing the death of a Limerick student in Greece is fully contesting the charge, his lawyer has said.
The 20-year old accused with an address in Dublin, was charged, Thursday, with causing lethal bodily harm or causing a deadly injury to, Niall O’Brien, in the town of Chora, on the Greek island of Ios.
Mr O’Brien, 22, from Castletroy, Co Limerick, sustained a head injury and died following an alleged altercation between himself and the accused, last Monday morning.
The accused was conditionally released on €8,000 bail which he must pay by 15 September, his lawyer, Alexis Anagnostakis, said.
Speaking to this reporter after the bail hearing, Mr Anagnostakis said the accused was facing a maximum ten years in prison, if convicted.
He said he could not disclose his client’s identify for “personal data” reasons.
“I appeared with him in front of the investigating judge; we stated our position against the accusation, and the judge and the investigating prosecutor unanimously felt there was no reason to detain him until the trial.”
“In my opinion, after today’s (hearing), the accusation against my client has become more weak, and his family would like to extend their condolences over the tragedy, but, it was not their son’s fault,” Mr Anagnostakis said.
“Today, my client was released until the trial. He has up to 13 days, until 15th of September, (to pay the bail), but he will do so’ He is free now, he has been released.”
“The charge was lethal bodily harm, which brings about a penalty of up to ten years in prison.”
An informed legal source in Greece said, in their opinion, it would take “a number of years” before the matter goes to trial.
There is an accumulation of cases in the Greek criminal justice system, which is partly Covid-related, the source explained.
A bail “restriction”, ordered by the investigating prosecutor, was placed on the accused, that he must sign on once a month, until his trial, at the Greek Embassy in Dublin, which is located at Pembroke Street Upper, Dublin 2.
The hearing took place on the Cyclade island of Naxos where the accused outlined his opposition to the charge.
“The defendant is accused of causing the deadly injury to the other man. He is free but he has been placed on restrictive measures, that he must declare his presence every month to the Greek consulate at his place of residence,” a police spokeswoman confirmed.
“He gave €8,000 as a guarantee, and there will be a trial at a later stage,” she added.
Mr O’Brien was one of a group of 20 who were holidaying on Ios ahead of starting their fourth year studies in Financial mathematics at the University of Limerick, when he became involved in an altercation with another man, last Sunday night/Monday morning.
Police said the defendant is accused of striking Mr O’Brien with his hands, and that Mr O’Brien fell onto a street and died after sustained an injury to his head.
Mr O’Brien’s family, some of whom have travelled to Greece in recent days, were liaising with The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust to arrange to fly his remains home for burial.
An informed source said they were hopeful the body could be brought back to Limerick over the weekend ahead of a funeral, which is likely to be held next week.
Mr O’Brien was a talented sportsman, and had played with various clubs including Broadford GAA in south east Clare; Aisling Annacotty AFC in Limerick; and Casteltroy Golf Club.
He was due to start a part-time bar job at the Limerick golf club next week.
A tribute released by the club read: “Niall was part of the Irish Junior Foursomes team in 2016, holing the winning birdie putt on the first play-off hole to win the Munster title.”
“Niall was a very popular and well-liked member of the club who was due to commence work in the club bar next week after he returned from his trip to Greece.”
“We are devastated that Niall will no longer be able to join us, and the tragedy of his untimely death has deeply affected all of us.”
Mr O’Brien is survived by his parents Ann and Mike, and brothers Cian, Eoin, and Alan
