Courts / Donegal / Report

"On the run" letters may have been used to gather evidence against republicans

Summary

A High Court judge has granted leave to appeal in the case of a 67-year-old man arrested in Co Donegal and wanted by UK authorities in connection with the 1972 Enniskillen bombing. The man is accused of involvement in an incident on 25 August 1972 in which two British Army personnel were killed. The High Court previously ordered his extradition, but the judge has found the case raises questions of exceptional public importance regarding whether assurances given to republicans under the "on-the-run" scheme may have been used to gather evidence against them, potentially amounting to an abuse of process. The judge has referred the matter to a higher court for determination. The appellant remains on continuing bail and is required to appear before the Court of Appeal. The case raises significant issues concerning the operation of the controversial scheme introduced during earlier peace efforts.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "On the run" letters may have been used to gather evidence against republicans. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

• August 25, 1972 Hearing Or Sentence
• February 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2019-03-06 Publication

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal

Related court reports

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• Downey appeals extradition over 1972 murders
• Downey gets date to appeal extradition over 1972 Enniskillen bombing
• Legal question over republican "on-the-run" letters in Downey extradition is finalised
• John Downey to be extradited over 1972 Enniskillen murder
• "Unfair" to extradite man over 1972 Enniskillen murder, lawyers say

Read the original CNI report