Courts / Dublin / Report
Extradition case against convicted murderer on the run here adjourned
Summary
The High Court has adjourned extradition proceedings against two convicted murderers until November 18th. Anthony Craig, aged 66, was convicted of murder in Blackburn in 1973 and escaped from an English prison before coming to Ireland, where he subsequently lived in Cork and Leitrim. Michael Anthony Balmer, aged 62, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1984 for a killing in Devon. In July, Mr Justice John Edwards indicated he would surrender both men to UK authorities. However, their legal representatives sought to appeal to the Supreme Court, arguing the cases raise questions of exceptional public importance concerning constitutional protections against preventative detention. Mr Justice Edwards has now agreed to refer both matters to the Supreme Court on a single reformulated question relating to whether surrender would breach constitutional safeguards under Article 40.4. The cases remain adjourned pending preparation of the approved judgment, following which notice of appeal may be served.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Extradition case against convicted murderer on the run here adjourned. Charges or matters: murdering another man in a park in Blackburn on November 3, 1973, to the UK authorities. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted
When:
- November 3, 1973 Adjournment
- November 18 Adjournment
- July 28 1983 Adjournment
- October 7 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 14, 2013 Incident
- March 2012 Incident
- 2014-11-04 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: murdering another man in a park in Blackburn on November 3, 1973, to the UK authorities (Proven)
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Counsel for Craig, Mr Conor Devally SC, said that where preventative measures of detention exist under the law of another nation, a question arose as to whether an order transferring a person to such a regime accords to the law under our constitution.; Anthony Craig (66)) The case of a convicted murderer who was on the run here after his escape from an English prison has been adjourned.
Convicted Person
Outcome: Balmer, with a last address in Cornwall, England, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1984 for attacking and killing a woman in her home on the evening of July 28 1983 in Devon, England.
Places mentioned
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