Courts / Dublin / Report

Conwoman's psychological care can be met by UK prison system, judge finds

Date
2021-10-11
Stage
Appeal
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

In an appeal-stage hearing, Mr Justice Paul Burns addressed the extradition of Farah Damji, a 54-year-old woman with a previous address at Bachelor's Walk, Dublin 2. Ms Damji was convicted in her absence at Southwark Crown Court for breaking a restraining order and sentenced to consecutive jail terms of 18 months and nine months, though an appeal court has since ruled they may run concurrently. The judge dismissed the respondent's objections to extradition, finding that UK prison medical care would not breach her human rights. He rejected arguments that she requires long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy unavailable in UK prisons, stating that treatment must be cruel and indecent to prevent extradition. However, the judge could not deliver a full ruling due to legal ambiguities regarding the European Arrest Warrant system post-Brexit, noting that the Court of Justice of the European Union is expected to return judgment next month. He confirmed sufficient correspondence in Irish law to allow extradition for at least one of the crimes. The matter was adjourned to December 6, and Ms Damji was remanded on continuing bail.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Conwoman's psychological care can be met by UK prison system, judge finds. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted

When:

Why: Mr Justice Paul Burns today (MONDAY) said he was not in a position to deliver his full ruling because of an ambiguity in the legal position on the European Arrest Warrant system following Britain's withdrawal from the EU. CNI source report

Case subjects

Farah Damji

Appellant

Finding: Convicted

Outcome: Convicted; She was convicted in her absence at Southwark Crown Court and sentenced to consecutive jail terms of 18 months and nine months, though an appeal court has since ruled they may run concurrently.; He adjourned the matter to that date and remanded Ms Damji on continuing bail.

Places mentioned

Facility
  • British prison
Court Venue
  • High Court
  • Supreme Court
Residence

Topics

Stage Appeal

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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