Hopes fade for Billy’s bail release

IT WILL now be a ‘miracle’ if Billy Irving is bailed from jail in time for his fiancée Yvonne MacHugh and son William’s visit to see him in India next month.

The pirate-hunter from Connel is one of six ex-British soldiers imprisoned in Chennai after their vessel, the MV Seaman Guard Ohio, strayed into Indian territorial waters in 2013.

A court in Tamil Nadu sentenced the six men to five years’ hard labour in January this year.

An appeal hearing started on Wednesday June 15, and the family hoped a bail petition, due to be filed a fortnight ago, would free him in time for Yvonne and William’s flight out on July 11, and William’s christening in St Thomas Cathedral, Chennai.

But said Yvonne: ‘There’s been another delay as usual.’

She said the lawyer was still gathering the correct paperwork, adding: ‘If he’s out when I’m over, it will be a miracle. So the chances are slim, but I’ll push for it as hard as I can.’

To raise cash for Billy’s legal fees and to help bring him home, his former teammates at Taynuilt Shinty Club are hosting a free charity match this Sunday (June 26), at 2.30pm, at Taynuilt’s sports field.