This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/8080961.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Linfield captain released on bail | Linfield captain released on bail |
| (19 minutes later) | |
| A Belfast footballer charged with counterfeit currency charges has been released on bail from a Spanish jail. | A Belfast footballer charged with counterfeit currency charges has been released on bail from a Spanish jail. |
| Linfield captain William 'Winkie' Murphy appeared before a court in Madrid on Wednesday morning. | Linfield captain William 'Winkie' Murphy appeared before a court in Madrid on Wednesday morning. |
| He was arrested last month in Torremolinos on suspicion of having brought counterfeit money into Spain on a previous visit two years ago. | He was arrested last month in Torremolinos on suspicion of having brought counterfeit money into Spain on a previous visit two years ago. |
| He will appear in court again within the next two months. | He will appear in court again within the next two months. |
| His bail conditions state that he can only return to Belfast with the express permission of a judge. | |
| He was accompanied in court on Wednesday by his father and a Spanish defence lawyer. | He was accompanied in court on Wednesday by his father and a Spanish defence lawyer. |
| The footballer's Belfast solicitor, Denis Moloney, said: "The first hurdle was obviously to get Mr Murphy out of custody, we're now look at getting him back to Northern Ireland. | The footballer's Belfast solicitor, Denis Moloney, said: "The first hurdle was obviously to get Mr Murphy out of custody, we're now look at getting him back to Northern Ireland. |
| "Needless to say, his wife and family are very relieved." | "Needless to say, his wife and family are very relieved." |
| Mr Murphy's appearance at the Audiencia Nacional - Spain's national criminal court - lasted just five minutes. | |
| Plea bargain | Plea bargain |
| He will have to report to the police every two weeks while on bail. | He will have to report to the police every two weeks while on bail. |
| It is thought he will initially stay at a relative's house in southern Spain. | It is thought he will initially stay at a relative's house in southern Spain. |
| Mr Murphy cannot return home without the judge's permission | Mr Murphy cannot return home without the judge's permission |
| The original accusation, of bringing counterfeit money into Spain, carries a minimum prison sentence of eight years. | The original accusation, of bringing counterfeit money into Spain, carries a minimum prison sentence of eight years. |
| However the player's lawyer is understood to be negotiating a plea bargain - in which Mr Murphy might admit to unwittingly handling false bank notes, in return for a non-custodial sentence. | However the player's lawyer is understood to be negotiating a plea bargain - in which Mr Murphy might admit to unwittingly handling false bank notes, in return for a non-custodial sentence. |
| Wearing a short-sleeve shirt, dark trousers and handcuffs, Mr Murphy looked relaxed. | Wearing a short-sleeve shirt, dark trousers and handcuffs, Mr Murphy looked relaxed. |
| Shortly before the hearing he told the BBC's Spain Correspondent Steve Kingstone he was being treated well and sent his thanks to family members and club supporters back home. | Shortly before the hearing he told the BBC's Spain Correspondent Steve Kingstone he was being treated well and sent his thanks to family members and club supporters back home. |
| Asked about the accusations, he said they related to a night at disco in Mallorca two years ago. | Asked about the accusations, he said they related to a night at disco in Mallorca two years ago. |
| He denied knowingly having committed any crime. | He denied knowingly having committed any crime. |