John Joseph Farrell was successful in his bid for bail in Central Local Court on Tuesday by Magistrate Les Mabbutt, but police prosecutors immediately filed an injunction to halt the release.

Under the stay of decision, the police prosecutions unit had three days to submit a detention application in the Supreme Court which would have triggered a bail hearing or bail review in the court.

The Supreme Court late yesterday confirmed to The Leader it had not received any application from police in the matter of Farrell.

Consequently, because the three-day time limit lapsed yesterday, the original bail decision will be reinstated.

As part of Farrell’s bail conditions, he has been ordered to live in Harden and report to local police every day, unless attending court or meetings with legal representatives.

Farrell has also been prohibited from associating with any child under the age of 16 or entering any school property.

Under the bail regime, Farrell cannot apply for a passport or enter any departure point out of Australia, and had to forfeit $10,000 cash in surety to secure his release.

Farrell is charged with 16 counts of sexual assault and act of indecency against a person aged under 16, eight counts of sexual assault of a person under 16 and two counts of sexual assault inciting an indecent act upon a person under 16.

Farrell allegedly molested five boys at various times in the Moree area and Tweed Heads between 1981 and 1984, when he was a Catholic priest. The 61-year-old was arrested by detectives in Southern NSW in late June.

The case returns to court in Sydney in August.