Courts / Donegal / Report

Downey gets date to appeal extradition over 1972 Enniskillen bombing

Summary

A 67-year-old man from County Donegal has been granted a date to appeal his extradition to Northern Ireland over charges relating to a 1972 bombing in Enniskillen. John Downey was arrested in November 2018 at his home in Creeslough following a European Arrest Warrant. He faces charges of murdering two British Army soldiers, Lance Corporal Alfred Johnston and Private James Eames, who were killed when an explosive device detonated in a vehicle on the Irvinestown Road, Cherrymount, on 25 August 1972. The High Court in Dublin ordered his extradition in March 2019 despite objections based on delay and a "comfort letter" issued by the British government to alleged republican paramilitaries during the conflict. The Court of Appeal has scheduled a hearing for 27 May 2019. Mr Downey's legal team cited his health concerns and questioned whether evidence allegedly linking him to the bombing still exists.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Downey gets date to appeal extradition over 1972 Enniskillen bombing. Charges or matters: murder of two British Army Infantrymen; aiding and abetting the causing of an explosion. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

• August 25, 1972 Incident
• February 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
• May 27 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2019-04-05 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal

Related court reports

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• John Downey to be extradited over 1972 Enniskillen murder
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Read the original CNI report