A decorated former Irish League footballer appeared at the High Court in Dublin following an extradition warrant issued by Northern Ireland authorities.
Kenneth Joseph Oman, 41, is wanted to stand trial in the north over an incident that took place during a match seven years ago.
It is alleged that he injured an opposing player during a match between the defendant’s then club, Portadown FC, and North Belfast’s Cliftonville.
In the warrant of surrender, central defender Mr Oman was arrested by Caoichhin, then of Cliftonville, during a Northern Ireland Football League Premiership match at Solitude in Belfast on December 10, 2016. – He is accused of elbowing Bonner in the mouth.
The incident, missed by the referee but caught on TV, left Bonner with severe injuries, including a fractured upper jaw and two front teeth being knocked out.
Oman was subsequently suspended for six games by the Irish Football Association, according to a warrant.
The matter was also reported to Northern Ireland Police.
Mr Oman, who is based in Dublin, was invited to be interviewed by police regarding the incident but refused to attend, the warrant states.
Following the incident, authorities in Northern Ireland laid a single charge of grievous bodily harm against Mr Oman.
He lives in the Republic and a Belfast court last year issued a warrant for his arrest to stand trial.
On Monday, Mr Oman was taken to a recess court at the High Court in Dublin following an extradition request.
Sergeant Adrian Murray, of the Garda Extradition Unit, told Judge David Holland that Mr Oman was arrested in Dublin on Sunday, January 7.
In response to Justice Minister Amy Dean BL, when asked in court if she knew what the charges contained in the warrant relating to Mr Oman were, she replied: “Yes, I do.” said.
Mark Thompson Grorimundo BL, representing Mr Oman, did not speak during the short hearing but said his client could be released on bail pending the outcome of extradition proceedings.
He said there was no objection from the state to him being granted bail.
Judge Holland granted Mr Oman bail.
The judge said bail conditions included providing €100 as his own surety and €1,000 as an independent surety.
The judge added that Mr Oman must also keep the peace, not leave the jurisdiction, regularly sign in at Garda stations in Dublin and reside at an address in Glasnevin Downs, Dublin 11.
The matter will come back to court later this month when a new legal period begins.
A talented and decorated former footballer, Mr Oman played for Shamrock Rovers, Derry City, Bohemians FC and St Patrick’s Athletic in the League of Ireland during his career.
During his career in the League of Ireland, he was part of teams that won several Premier Division, FAI and League Cups. He finished his senior football career with Portadown in 2017.
He also represented Ireland at Under-21 level.