In Dublin, a London-based Rabbi named Jonathan Abraham has been charged with conducting an unlawful circumcision on an infant, charges fully backed up by the Irish Jewish community, the High Court was informed. The Rabbi, aged 47, was arrested in Dublin on July 30th and charged with performing a circumcision on a male infant without being a registered medical practitioner in Dublin 15.
Jonathan, a British citizen, was denied bail by the District Court after his arrest but filed a new application that was heard by Ms Justice Karen O’Connor at the High Court in Cloverhill on Tuesday. The defence put forward an array of terms for bail, including a £100,000 guarantee made up of several independent sureties, to facilitate his release before the trial.
Evidence, testimonials and an affidavit submitted by Jonathan were heard in court, after which Ms Justice O’Connor postponed the ruling on his bail application till Thursday.
According to Det Garda Megan Furey, this offence which contradicts the Medical Practitioners Act 2007 may result in a maximum fine of €130,000 and a five-year sentence at the Circuit Court level. She alleged that ample evidence supported the charge.
Upon securing the homeowners’ permission, the police entered a Dublin 15 address and allegedly saw the defendant dressed in a white robe akin to a doctor’s gown, complete with blue gloves and holding a scalpel. The room bore a table fitted with a changing pad and an array of medical equipment such as scissors, and a completely undressed infant was noted on the changing pad.
Three babies, including twins aged between three and six weeks, were present in the house. However, only one 18-day-old baby boy had undergone a circumcision procedure. Consequently, the infant was taken to a hospital to ensure his safety.
The courtroom was informed that when the police arrived, they found babies from both Muslim and Christian families. Among these was a pair of twins, whose mother had requested a circumcision through the man’s website. The court learnt that the charges for the procedure were £70 for travel, £350 per child, but included a €70 discount for twins.
The officer in charge, Detective Garda Furey, highlighted that Mr Abraham did not have the license to practice medicine in Ireland, causing concerns over potential flight risk. She revealed that he arrived in Dublin closer to noon and had a return flight booked for 7pm on the same day. Although there was suspicion of him holding an Israeli passport, the court learned later that he only carried a UK passport.
Throughout the trial, Mr Abraham’s wife, sister and brother observed the proceedings from the public section.
Ronan Kennedy SC, the defence lawyer, provided the court with character testimony from professionals such as doctors and lawyers as well as prominent members from London’s Jewish community.
The court was made aware of the concern for Mr Abraham’s family, including his aging parents, who relied heavily on him. His imprisonment in Ireland, where he is held in solitary confinement, has caused distress amongst his family.
Detective Garda Furey confessed ignorance of Mr Abraham leading an orthodox congregation in North London or his expertise in Jewish laws.
It was shared during the hearing that besides a stipend for his Job, Mr Abraham also received state benefits. Yoni Wieder, The chief Rabbi of Ireland, assured the Judge, Ms Justice O’Connor, of the accused’s reputation and guaranteed his support towards meeting bail conditions.
A report from the Department of Health in 2004 which was discussed between Detective Garda Furey and Mr Kennedy cited a rabbi’s legal eligibility to conduct non-therapeutic circumcision for cultural or religious reasons. However, the police officer affirmed that the report advised such procedures to be conducted under sterile conditions.
The courtroom was informed that Rabbi Abraham was a part of the Initiation Society, the oldest Anglo-Jewish community founded in 1745, serving as a mohel trained to carry out circumcisions in the UK. It was argued by the defence that the defendant’s community would disapprove if he escaped justice, a situation unprecedented for a mohel.
The adjudicator was informed that the defendant wished to return to London while waiting for his trial, however, he would agree to stay in Dublin if required by the court. Mr Kennedy stated that his client planned to challenge the case, which has garnered worldwide interest, asserting that the whole Jewish community was firmly supporting him.
Until the time of his trial, it was made known to the court that the defendant wished to return to his family and resume his rabbinical duties. The defence suggested a bail amount in the defendant’s bond of €10,000, half of which is to be provided by him, supplemented by €50,000 collected by his community in England and €40,000, half of which must be deposited by an independent surety in Dublin.
The court is currently awaiting directions from the Director of Public Prosecution on whether the case will proceed in the District Court or the Circuit Court.