Courts / Ireland / Report
High Court extradites British national convicted of 2002 Halloween night murder
Summary
A 50‑year‑old British national, William Joseph O'Connor, was extradited to France where he had been convicted in absentia of murdering Jean Jacques Berteloot on Halloween night 2002. The High Court in Ireland sentenced O'Connor to 30 years' imprisonment for the killing, a sentence that was imposed while he was serving a sentence in the UK. He was arrested in March 2013 under a European Arrest Warrant issued by French authorities. The court noted that if he is returned to France he will be guaranteed a retrial and may be granted bail. O'Connor maintains his innocence, claiming he was set up by his co‑accused, Barry Finch. The case involves allegations that O'Connor stabbed Berteloot multiple times while attempting to steal his car and phone, after which both men fled to Amsterdam. The High Court ordered his surrender to France, where he will face a new trial. The proceedings are ongoing and no final verdict has yet been reached.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: High Court extradites British national convicted of 2002 Halloween night murder. Charges or matters: stabbing Jean Jacques Berteloot a number of times while stealing the French man's car and phone on the night of October 31 or early on the morning of November 1, 2002. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted
When:
- October 31 Hearing Or Sentence
- November 1, 2002 Hearing Or Sentence
- November 1 2002 Other
- 2013-10-18 Publication
Why: He explained that his client was serving a sentence here at the time. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: stabbing Jean Jacques Berteloot a number of times while stealing the French man's car and phone on the night of October 31 or early on the morning of November 1, 2002 (Proven)
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; The High Court heard yesterday (Friday) that O'Connor, who is a British national with previous addresses in Waterford and Dublin, was sentenced in his absence to 30 years in prison for the killing. He noted that while a person could usually be surrendered while serving a sentence here, O'Connor was actually serving a sentence imposed in the UK. "He was transferred here," he explained, adding that his client could not have gone to France to face trial, even if he wanted to.
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