Published Thursday, 04 March 2010
Liam Dominic Adams was freed on bail after he appeared before Dublin's High Court on Wednesday.
The 54-year-old, who is wanted in Northern Ireland on suspicion of assaulting Aine Tyrell, told gardai he left the jurisdiction because he was concerned he would not get a fair trial.
Detective Sergeant Jim Kirwan told the judge that Mr Adams faced a number of serious charges, including one charge of rape - which carries a maximum penalty of a life in prison in the north.
He said when arrested Mr Adams replied: "I just want to say I'm not guilty of that."
A European Arrest Warrant from the PSNI relating to 18 offences from March 1977 to March 1983 was sanctioned at the High Court on Wednesday afternoon.
Detective Sergeant Jim Kirwan said that, when arrested, Mr Adams replied: "I just want to say I'm not guilty of that. I will be pleading not guilty."
The sex abuse claims became public in December when Ms Tyrell waived her right to anonymity in a UTV documentary.
Mr Adams denied he fled a year ago to escape prosecution but told the court he feared he and his children were in danger after media reports.
Earlier, he handed himself in at Bridewell Garda Station by appointment - the day after a European Arrest Warrant was sanctioned.
Det Sgt Kirwan said the suspect confirmed his identification and said he was aware of the alleged offences because he "read about them in the paper".
Flanked by extradition officers Mr Adams was then taken before the President of the High Court, Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns, where he said he would love to return home but "not under the current circumstances".
Mr Adams was supported by his daughter, Claire Smith, and school friend Sean Rooney, who both guaranteed his bail on bonds of €7,500 each.
He also lodged his own bond of €100 and was ordered to reappear before the court for an extradition hearing next Wednesday.
Strict bail conditions include signing on at a garda station daily, surrendering his passport and giving gardai his address and mobile telephone number.
Det Sgt Kirwan told the court Mr Adams had been aware of the allegations since 1987 and that they were reinstated in January 2006.
He said that, when Mr Adams was questioned in February 2007 and 11 months later, a decision was taken to prosecute him but police were unable to serve notice.
Det Sgt Kirwan said the PSNI again called at Mr Adams' address on December 16 last year but he had fled.
Five days later he appeared at Sligo Garda Station where he allegedly told officers he wanted their help because he could not get a fair trial in Northern Ireland due to the publicity.
"I believe his motive for leaving the State was to avoid the administration of justice in Northern Ireland," added the senior garda.
Mr Adams told Remy Farrell, barrister for the State, that he had previously presented himself voluntarily to Grosvenor Road PSNI station in West Belfast, Sligo Garda Station and at the High Court.
His solicitor, James MacGuill, said his client would contest the extradition but was available to hand himself in as soon as a warrant had been issued for his arrest.