Courts / Dublin / Report
Polish embassy representative present for extradition case hearing
Summary
In a High Court hearing on 21 March 2018, an Irish judge referred a case involving Artur Celmer to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) to determine whether mutual trust still exists between Poland and other EU Member States for extradition. Celmer, arrested in Ireland under a European Arrest Warrant, faces drug‑trafficking charges in Poland. The judge, Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly, cited recent Polish legislative changes that she said had "systematically damaged" the rule of law. A representative of the Polish Embassy in Dublin attended. Fair Trial Europe, an NGO, applied to join the proceedings as an amicus curiae to assist the CJEU with its questions, but counsel for the Minister for Justice argued the NGO's late application and lack of a unique perspective made its participation inappropriate. The judge promised to conclude all matters by the end of the week and to send the referral to the CJEU promptly.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Polish embassy representative present for extradition case hearing. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 23 Adjournment
- 2018-03-21 Publication
Why: She said the application by Fair Trial Europe to join proceedings had, in one sense, caused a delay because the court had to consider the matter but the NGO was entitled to a ruling. CNI source report
Case subjects
Applicant
Outcome: Since her ruling, a distinction has been made between persons wanted in Poland for prosecution and persons wanted who had already been convicted and/or sentenced. (Since her ruling, a number of people have been surrendered to Poland but only those who were already convicted and/or sentenced).; Mr Celmer was remanded until July 23 next with liberty to bring the matter forward pending a decision from the CJEU.
Places mentioned
- High Court
- Supreme Court
Topics
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