MYSTERY remains over the identity of a man brought before Galway District Court on drug and criminal damage charges. He insists he is a US citizen, demands an American lawyer to represent him and told the court he wasn’t concerned over the length of any prison sentence imposed as the American Embassy would send him home.
The defendant is being held in custody as Gardaí are finding it difficult to ascertain his identity. At his appearance on Monday, March 30 he insisted that his name be noted as Ishmal Ali (aka Jordan Toure ) and once again he stated that he was an American citizen. At an earlier hearing the defendant insisted that he wanted an American lawyer to represent him.
Judge King said he didn’t have a very strong American accent and he had to prove his identity before his case could be heard. He warned the defendant that if convicted on the drug and criminal damage charges he faced, he could face a long term of imprisonment.
“If I get two, five, ten years the embassy will send me back [to the USA]".
Judge King asked if he would submit to have his fingerprints compared to databases as a means of ascertaining his identity. The defendant refused to give his consent.
Gary McDonald BL was assigned to represent Ali but was repeatedly informed that he would represent himself and that Mr McDonald did not speak for him.
The Judge told him he had no problem with him representing himself but he did require a psychiatric report to see if he was fit to plead. Judge King entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. The case was adjourned until the April 9 sitting and the defendant was again remanded in custody.
