A FORMER city councillor has been remanded for trial on charges of soliciting someone to kill a detective garda, a Revenue Commissioner and an accountant.

Gary O'Flynn (37), a son of former FF TD Noel O'Flynn, was served with the book of evidence in the case at Cork District Court.

He was remanded for trial to the Circuit Criminal Court on the instructions of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Judge Leo Malone was told by Inspector John Deasy that the DPP has directed that the matter be dealt with on indictment before a judge and jury.

The charges are brought contrary to Section 4 of the Offences Against the Persons Act (1861) and relate to dates between October 1, 2012, and February 15, 2013.

All the charges involve an address on the Mallow Road in Cork.

The three individuals named in the charges are Det Garda Mary Skehan, Revenue Commissioner official George Ross and accountant Patrick Sweeney.

Mr O'Flynn, of Hayfield Drive, Castle Court, Whitechurch, Co Cork, denies all three charges.

The District Court has already been told that a portion of Mr O'Flynn's legal costs will be funded by the proceeds of a defamation action he settled against a UK newspaper.

Defence solicitor Joe Cuddigan objected to his client being returned to Cork Circuit Criminal Court tomorrow as it is the concluding day of the sessions.

"It is preposterous," he said.

He argued that it would make more sense to return his client directly to the February sessions of the Circuit Court where the matter will inevitably be adjourned to tomorrow.

BAIL

However, Judge Malone said he had to adhere to the DPP's specific directions and returned Mr O'Flynn to the Circuit Criminal Court tomorrow.

Judge Malone remanded Mr O'Flynn on his existing High Court bail terms and conditions, which include a personal bond of €10,000 and an independent surety of €30,000.

A qualified solicitor, Mr O'Flynn took his father's old seat on Cork City Council in 2003 when the dual-mandate ban came into force.

He ended his political career five years later with the city council seat going to his brother, Ken. Mr O'Flynn's father was first elected to the Dail in 1997 and served as a TD for 14 years.

Irish Independent