03/06/2009

Linfield Captain Bailed At Spanish Court

William 'Winkie' Murphy is to be released on bail from a Spanish prison after his appearance today in a Madrid court.

His arrest, last month in Torremolinos (Malaga), was linked with an incident in which Murphy was involved in 2007 during a stag party in Majorca.

He was detained then after allegedly being in possession of counterfeit euros.

Murphy was subscequently released on bail but he did not return to Spain from his Northern Ireland home to face charges.

After his unconnected return to Spain last month, to attend another such party, police arrested him after his passport was matched to a watchlist - even though he is said to have chosen to travel on an Irish passport on the most recent occasion.

The footballer will leave prison later today, pending a full court hearing within the next two months.

His current bail conditions state that he can only return to Belfast if the judge gives him express permission.

The judge at the Audiencia Nacional, Spain's national criminal court, said Murphy will have to report to the police every two weeks while on bail.

The footballer denied having committed any crime knowingly.

The accusation of bringing counterfeit money into Spain carries a minimum prison sentence of eight years.

See: Blue's Star 'Winkie' Still In Spanish Jail

(AC/BMcC)

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