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Sydney siege inquest: DPP solicitor defends conduct of Monis bail case – rolling report Sydney siege inquest: DPP solicitor defends conduct of Monis bail case – rolling report
(34 minutes later)
11.32am AEST02:32
Thangaraj is trying to establish whether the DPP solicitor was aware the police were unhappy with his performance (apparently he was accused of doing “a terrible job”).
“During the course of the hearing were you aware the police were getting frustrated?” Thangaraj asks.
The solicitor says they were focusing on the hearing, “not what the police were doing at the back of the court”.
Nonetheless, Thangaraj says, “did you get a sense they were upset and frustrated at the way it was going?”
“No,” he replies.
“Did you form a belief that they thought you were not making all the submissions they thought you should have made on these topics?”
“No.”
11.11am AEST02:1111.11am AEST02:11
The DPP solicitor is currently being questioned by Murugan Thangaraj SC, appearing on behalf of Katrina Dawson’s family.The DPP solicitor is currently being questioned by Murugan Thangaraj SC, appearing on behalf of Katrina Dawson’s family.
Thangaraj begins by asking whether the solicitor - who, again, we can’t name - whether he knew Asio agents were present at each of Monis’ court appearances.Thangaraj begins by asking whether the solicitor - who, again, we can’t name - whether he knew Asio agents were present at each of Monis’ court appearances.
Interestingly, the DPP solicitor says he only discovered their presence “only this past week” when it was reported in the media.Interestingly, the DPP solicitor says he only discovered their presence “only this past week” when it was reported in the media.
He also points out that the facts of the case demonstrated that Monis was already on bail when he alleged acted as an accessory before and after a murder. Did the solicitor miss this?He also points out that the facts of the case demonstrated that Monis was already on bail when he alleged acted as an accessory before and after a murder. Did the solicitor miss this?
It is the case that I did not focus my mind on that particular issue.It is the case that I did not focus my mind on that particular issue.
“Well that means you missed it,” Thangaraj says.“Well that means you missed it,” Thangaraj says.
Oh, yes.Oh, yes.
11.11am AEST02:1111.11am AEST02:11
Back in the witness box this morning is the DPP solicitor (name suppressed) who handled Monis’ December 2013 bail hearing.Back in the witness box this morning is the DPP solicitor (name suppressed) who handled Monis’ December 2013 bail hearing.
Last week they were accused by both police and counsel assisting, Jeremly Gormly SC, of being insufficiently prepared for court the day Monis applied for bail - charges they strenuously denied.Last week they were accused by both police and counsel assisting, Jeremly Gormly SC, of being insufficiently prepared for court the day Monis applied for bail - charges they strenuously denied.
Here’s a quick recap of their evidence last Friday:Here’s a quick recap of their evidence last Friday:
The inquest heard the solicitor had received an email one month before the bail hearing providing evidence that Monis was a flight risk.The inquest heard the solicitor had received an email one month before the bail hearing providing evidence that Monis was a flight risk.
But transcripts from the December 2013 hearing show that, when asked by the magistrate whether there was any such evidence, the solicitor responded: “I have to take some further instructions on that.”But transcripts from the December 2013 hearing show that, when asked by the magistrate whether there was any such evidence, the solicitor responded: “I have to take some further instructions on that.”
Counsel assisting, Jeremy Gormly SC, said the solicitor did not cite the email “because you had not prepared sufficiently to enable that information to be available to be provided by the court” – a suggestion the solicitor denied.Counsel assisting, Jeremy Gormly SC, said the solicitor did not cite the email “because you had not prepared sufficiently to enable that information to be available to be provided by the court” – a suggestion the solicitor denied.
A lawyer for Monis, Manny Conditsis, prepared a detailed 30-page brief for the magistrate outlining why the self-styled religious cleric should be granted bail.A lawyer for Monis, Manny Conditsis, prepared a detailed 30-page brief for the magistrate outlining why the self-styled religious cleric should be granted bail.
In response to this “threatening application”, Gormly suggested the ODPP solicitor should have “do[ne] whatever it is that is necessary to put some written submissions together”. Instead the solicitor relied on oral submissions.In response to this “threatening application”, Gormly suggested the ODPP solicitor should have “do[ne] whatever it is that is necessary to put some written submissions together”. Instead the solicitor relied on oral submissions.
The ODPP solicitor told the inquest of disappointment at the outcome of the bail hearing. “I felt under siege and I felt that I was doing the best I could,” the solicitor said.The ODPP solicitor told the inquest of disappointment at the outcome of the bail hearing. “I felt under siege and I felt that I was doing the best I could,” the solicitor said.
11.11am AEST02:1111.11am AEST02:11
WelcomeWelcome
Good morning. We’re back at the New South Wales coroner’s court for more public hearings into the deaths of Katrina Dawson, Tori Johnson, and gunman Man Haron Monis in last December’s siege of the Lindt Cafe.Good morning. We’re back at the New South Wales coroner’s court for more public hearings into the deaths of Katrina Dawson, Tori Johnson, and gunman Man Haron Monis in last December’s siege of the Lindt Cafe.
Last week saw much buck-passing between the NSW police and the office of the director of public prosecutions about why Monis was on bail.Last week saw much buck-passing between the NSW police and the office of the director of public prosecutions about why Monis was on bail.
That is likely to continue on Monday, but in the coming days, we will hear from an expert bail panel, which has reviewed Monis’ three successful bail applications in the 12 months before he staged the siege.That is likely to continue on Monday, but in the coming days, we will hear from an expert bail panel, which has reviewed Monis’ three successful bail applications in the 12 months before he staged the siege.
We also expect to hear new evidence about Monis’ life in Iran, a discussion on whether the siege constituted an act of terrorism, and expert evidence on whether the gunman was “radicalised” at the time of the siege.We also expect to hear new evidence about Monis’ life in Iran, a discussion on whether the siege constituted an act of terrorism, and expert evidence on whether the gunman was “radicalised” at the time of the siege.