BC Supreme Court Justice Ronald Tindale issued a warrant Friday, June 27 for the arrest of Daniel James Colligan, who did not show up to his sentencing hearing at the Prince George courthouse.
Colligan, 39, was convicted of firearms charges on Sept. 10, 2024. Crown prosecutor Rodney Withall told Tindale that he would seek a seven-year jail sentence — six years for possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition and one year for possession contrary to order.
“My submission is that there is no possibility that the court could impose a sentence that would be less than three years,” Withall said in court. “Mr. Colligan ought to start serving his time.”
Colligan was not in the courtroom and his Port Coquitlam lawyer, Dale Melville, appeared by teleconference. Melville explained that he has been “dealing with some non-legal matters” and did not have anyone to stand in for him.
“The defence is responsible for both the adjournment and for the non-appearance of Mr. Colligan,” Melville admitted.
Withall opposed the adjournment. Since Colligan’s conviction, he said Melville has failed to appear for scheduled hearings on Nov. 25, Dec. 2 and 9. Melville sent an articling student on Dec. 16 to schedule the sentencing date, but Melville emailed him before the June 27 hearing to inform him of the adjournment application.
“Ultimately, I don't know how we proceed today with Mr. Melville in Vancouver and Mr. Colligan's location unknown,” Withall said. “But that causes me to make submissions as to what I think the court should do with Mr. Colligan's bail.”
Withall said he learned that Colligan has been convicted of another firearms possession offence. Tindale scheduled a June 30 hearing to fix a date to hear Withall’s application to revoke Colligan’s bail. Tindale also issued the unendorsed warrant, meaning that Colligan must be held in custody at least until he appears in court.
Tindale set the week of Aug. 25 for Colligan’s sentencing.
“This is an unfortunate situation,” Tindale said. “Obviously, the sentencing can't proceed today. I understand from Mr. Melville, as I said earlier, he's fallen on his sword with regard to the scheduling of this matter. However, as I've also said, I have great concerns about Mr. Colligan, the length of time that has went by with these matters.”
