An Irish volunteer was yesterday released on $60,000 bail after he was charged with threatening President Donald Ramotar.
It is alleged that on March 29, at Central Rupununi, Cillian James Crosson, said to be a 17-year-old Project Trust volunteer at Shulinab, Rupununi, used threatening language against President Ramotar.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him by Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Crosson’s attorney, Glenn Hanoman, in a bail application, informed the court that hisclient has been residing in Guyana since last August as a volunteer teacher with Project Trust. Hanoman said that at the time of the incident, the young man was intoxicated. He added that he has since been in police custody for over 100 hours.
Counsel asked that Crosson be admitted to bail in a reasonable sum.
The prosecutor, Sergeant Vishnu Hunt, objected to bail, while noting that the threats were directed to the president. He also pointed out to the court that the defendant gave a caution statement to police admitting to the offence.
Hunt said Crosson was heard saying “I would shoot the president in his head.” He said also that the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs Nigel Dharamlall had heard Crosson’s remarks and had cautioned him but he continued.
Hunt also said that he was afraid that if Crosson is released on bail, he might flee, since he is not a Guyanese national.
But the magistrate overruled the prosecution’s objection and granted Crosson bail in the sum of $60,000. He was also ordered to report every Monday to the Lethem Police Station.
The case will continue on May 30.
