A Keady man facing serious drug charges – who “refused to surrender to police for three years” – has been denied a bail variation which would have allowed him to travel to Thailand on holiday for a month.
A detective constable, in objecting to bail, questioned how Gary Martin Clarke, of Fairgreen Park – in receipt of legal aid – was able to afford a month-long holiday to the other side of the world.
The 42-year-old appeared at Armagh Magistrates’ Court to face charges of entering into an arrangement to acquire criminal property, being concerned in the supply of cocaine, and being concerned in the supply of cannabis.
The officer referred to the case as one relating to encro chat and that Clarke “was aware that police were actively seeking him” since July 9, 2021.
She added: “Clarke refused to surrender to police for three years, finally presenting himself to Banbridge PSNI station on May 24, 2024.”
On November 3, 2024 a threat message was served on Gary Clarke at Armagh PSNI station.
Said the DC: “This was in relation to a threat on Gary Clarke’s life by other persons in the south Armagh area. Police believe that if this bail variation to leave the jurisdiction is granted, Gary Clarke will not return due to this threat.”
The DC also highlighted that on October 8 of this year, a bail application for Clarke to obtain employment in Dublin was withdrawn as he “could not afford to provide any surety”.
“Police,” she added “would therefore question how this proposed trip to Thailand has been funded for an entire month”.
Clarke’s defence counsel stated that in relation to the surety, “it wasn’t that he couldn’t” provide a surety but “that there was no one available to attend to sign a surety”.
The defence added: “Our strongest point is the delay in this matter…there’s still no decision. There’s been no decision on the last couple of appearances since the full file has been submitted. This is an encro case and it’s going to take some time.
“His connections to the jurisdiction is that he is a father of two children – 10-years-old and three-years-old – and he has contact every weekend with them.”
However, District Judge Anne Marshall said there were “a lot of concerns” around the application.
“There are no circumstances that could manage the risk,” she said.
“This is somebody the police were looking for, for very serious drugs offences for three years, albeit he did eventually surrender himself. I couldn’t possibly allow him to go to Thailand at all, never mind for a month.”
Bail was refused and the case adjourned until January 7 for an update.
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