Courts / Louth / Report

Clarity sought on alleged role of notorious hitman Arakas in murder of pop star's lover

Date
2022-07-18

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Dundalk

County
Louth

Summary

The High Court has adjourned the extradition appeal of Imre Arakas to Monday next to fix a hearing date, during which he is to appear by video-link. Mr Justice Paul Burns directed the State to prepare a Section 20 request under the Extradition Act to clarify Lithuanian authorities' allegations regarding Arakas's specific role in the 2015 murder of Deimantas Bugavicius. Lithuanian police allege Arakas was part of a three-man gang that conspired to murder the victim, while Arakas claims he was in Spain on the relevant dates. An eyewitness to the murder stated that Arakas was not present at the scene. The court noted that Arakas was previously jailed by the Special Criminal Court for six years in December 2018 after pleading guilty to conspiring with others to murder James 'Mago' Gately in Northern Ireland between April 3 and 4, 2017. He has been in custody in Ireland since April 2017. The judge also referenced the separate extradition case of Liam Campbell, who was found civilly liable for the Omagh bombing and whose appeal to the Supreme Court resulted in a ruling permitting his extradition to Lithuania for offences including terrorism and weapons possession. The matter remains at the appeal stage, with the current session adjourned rather than concluded.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Clarity sought on alleged role of notorious hitman Arakas in murder of pop star's lover. Charges or matters: conspiring with others to murder Mr Gately in Northern Ireland between April 3 and 4, 2017. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

December 2018 Adjournment
April 3 Hearing Or Sentence
June 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
July 9 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
December 2, 2016 Incident
April 3, 2017 Other
April 2017 Other
2022-07-18 Publication

Case subjects

Imre Arakas

Convicted Person

Charges: conspiring with others to murder Mr Gately in Northern Ireland between April 3 and 4, 2017 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: An eyewitness to the murder of the pop star's lover has said that the hitman, who has also been jailed here for his role in a Kinahan cartel murder plot, was not present at the scene, the High Court has heard. Arakas was jailed by the non-jury Special Criminal Court for six years in December 2018 after he pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to murder Mr Gately in Northern Ireland between April 3 and 4, 2017.; Mr Justice Burns adjourned the matter to Monday next to fix a date for hearing, when Arakas is to appear by video-link.

Liam Campbell

Accused