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Prankster student denied bail and remains in jail An
Irish student who was jailed in western Africa for allegedly flashing
his behind as a dare has had his bail hearing postponed.
Patrick Devine from Co. Donegal will now have to remain behind bars in
Senegal until the end of the week.
His family are said to be devastated that the 19-year-old was not freed
after spending almost a month in the Maison de la Correction prison.
Irish diplomats in neighbouring Nigeria are continuing to secure the Queen’s
University Belfast student’s release.
A spokesperson for The Department of Foreign Affairs said: “Our
Consular staff from the Embassy in Nigeria will remain on in Senegal in
the coming days in order to provide every possible assistance to the individual
and his family. The Department remains actively engaged in the case.”
It is understood the judge deferred the bail hearing until Friday when
Mr Devine will again try to seek his release before standing trial for
the alleged offence.
The engineering student was arrested on July 27 after allegedly dropping
his trousers and “pulling a mooner” outside the home of one
of the country’s governors in Saint Louis.
He has been working over the summer in the former French colony as a volunteer
helping street children with the Teaching and Projects Abroad organisation.
It is understood he pulled the stunt as part of a series of dares made
up by members of the group when he was spotted by a local man.
The man held him until police arrived and after several days in the cells
he was moved to La Maison de la Correction where he is reportedly sharing
a cell with 40 criminal suspects. |
