Irish lorry driver wanted in France for 'transporting war materials' over 17 years ago

A 55-year-old man from Longford town is fighting extradition to France to serve the remainder of a custodial sentence for offences relating to the transportation of war materials, the High Court heard on Wednesday. Roger Bergin was arrested in January 2003 after customs officials discovered approximately 775 kilograms of cannabis resin, cocaine, two handguns, ammunition and cash concealed in a truck at the France-Spain border. He was subsequently convicted and sentenced to four years imprisonment. Following his release in 2005, French prosecutors successfully appealed his acquittal on firearms charges, prompting the issue of a European Arrest Warrant in 2006. Bergin contends the French authorities had knowledge of his Longford address for over fifteen years without pursuing his arrest, and that he was denied a fair opportunity to appeal his conviction. Justice Caroline Biggs noted the alleged denial of appeal rights as central to the case. The matter was adjourned to 23 March.