Anthony Craig and Michael Anthony Balmer lose extradition appeals

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Anthony Craig and Michael Anthony Balmer lost their appeals in the Court of Appeal against extradition to the UK to complete life sentences. The proceedings were reported on 21 May 2015.

The court ordered a stay on their surrender pending a possible Supreme Court appeal. Mr Justice Michael Peart said there was no error in ordering surrender, while Mr Justice Alan Mahon agreed.

Mr Justice Gerard Hogan dissented, holding that the British regime could amount to unconstitutional preventative detention and that he would allow the appeal. Craig’s warrant specified murder and escaping from prison; no appeal was sought over the escape offence.