Cork court issues bench warrant for accused who went back to the Congo for father’s funeral

A FUNERAL in the Democratic Republic of the Congo resulted in a bench warrant for a man’s arrest being issued at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Mervyn Shalemba, aged 21, with an address at an apartment at Eden Hall, Model Farm Road, Cork, should have appeared at Cork Circuit Criminal Court for his case.

On his failure to appear, his barrister, Mahon Corkery, applied for an adjournment, stating that the young man had gone back to the Democratic Republic of the Congo for his father’s funeral.

Judge Helen Boyle refused to grant the application for an adjournment and issued the bench warrant for his arrest.

The prosecution had not been notified of the defendant’s plans to leave the country.

Mr Shalemba is charged that on August 23, 2022, at his home in Cork, he had €3,700 cash, knowing it was the proceeds of criminal conduct, and that he was allegedly in possession of cannabis and had that drug for the purpose of sale or supply.