26/06/2009

'Winkie' Flys Home From Spanish Jail

Blues captain, William 'Winkie' Murphy has returned to Northern Ireland following his arrest and temporary imprisonment in Spain on counterfeit money charges.

The Linfield player was held as he attended a stag party in Torremolinos last month to face earlier charges of introducing counterfeit bank notes into the country.

He was first charged over the alleged dud money two years ago and, having put up his own bail, he then returned home to Northern Ireland.

The player was re-arrested last month when returning to the country as part of a stag party for Linfield teammate Jim Ervin.

As a result, Mr Murphy spent two weeks in prison in Madrid and was then freed on condition that he stayed at a relative's house in Spain while on bail.

His bail conditions state that he could only return to Belfast with the express permission of a judge.

Now he is back in Belfast with a spokesman telling the Belfast News Letter that Winkie is "extremely relieved to be back home with his family".

He also said: "Mr Murphy strenuously denies these allegations which he will return to Spain to contest."

See: Blues Captain Now Charged Over Counterfeit Allegations

(BMcC/JM)

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