The Associated Press
Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2001; 12:16 a.m. EST

NEW YORK –– A Manhattan judge on Tuesday set bail at $15,000 for a man who tried to handcuff himself to Roman Catholic Archbishop Edward Egan during a New Year's Mass.

Timothy Byrne remained in custody and was found mentally fit to stand trial. Criminal Court Judge Patricia Nunez said she set bail based on Byrne's show of contempt for authority and his family's apparent inability to control him.

Byrne, 38, was arrested when he tried to shackle himself to Egan in St. Patrick's Cathedral. Church ushers and a detective who was attending the service tackled Byrne. Egan, 68, was unhurt.

Byrne said later that he was trying to make a citizen's arrest of Egan "for his criminal activities of fraud and racketeering." He said religious officials were liars and the church would not last another year.

Byrne is charged with disruption of a religious service, resisting arrest, and unlawful imprisonment, all misdemeanors. He faces up to a year in jail if convicted.