Courts / Dublin / Report

Father wanted in connection with murder in North likens his two-year custody wait to "internment"

Summary

Francis Lanigan, 49, is in Dublin custody awaiting extradition to Northern Ireland over the 1998 murder of John Knocker. He claims his two‑year detention is akin to internment, fearing harm from paramilitaries if returned. A High Court judge said bail was unlikely, but will consider a bail application at the next hearing. Lanigan's barrister, Kieran Kelly, argued that circumstances had changed, noting the arrest's second anniversary, his child, and partner's court appearance. Lanigan had previously used the alias Kieran McCrory for 15 years, a fact known to the Gardaí. The judge remanded him in custody until the next Monday, noting the court's inherent jurisdiction to grant bail at any point. The case remains at the extradition stage.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Father wanted in connection with murder in North likens his two-year custody wait to "internment". Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

• January 2013 Incident
• May 31, 1998 Incident
• February 2013 Incident
• Christmas Other
• 2014-12-08 Publication

Why: He said that Mr Lanigan had already explained why he had lived under an assumed name. CNI source report

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Charge Or Pretrial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report