Courts / Louth / Report

Delay in extraditing former RIRA leader 'shameful', High Court told

Date
2020-06-09
Stage
Charge Or Pretrial
Primary locality
Dundalk
County
Louth

Summary

The High Court heard that the extradition of Liam Campbell, 58, from Ireland to Lithuania has been delayed for over ten years, a delay the court described as "shameful" and an "abuse of process". Campbell was arrested in December 2016 under a European Arrest Warrant issued by Lithuanian authorities, who allege he organised weapons smuggling for the Real IRA between late 2006 and early 2007. His barrister, Mr Remy Farrell SC, argued that the length of time the warrant has been in force and the risk of inhuman or degrading treatment in a Lithuanian prison justify a refusal of extradition. The court noted that the Lithuanian public prosecutor's independence had been questioned and that the Court of Justice of the EU had ruled the prosecutor can issue European Arrest Warrants. Mr Farrell also pointed out that the remand prison in Vilnius closed in July last year and that Campbell's bail had been pending for four years.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Delay in extraditing former RIRA leader 'shameful', High Court told. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • High Court
  • The High Court
  • Supreme Court
Incident
Facility
  • EU prison

Topics

Stage Charge Or Pretrial

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