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Two convicted murderers appeal orders surrendering them back to UK to serve out life sentences
Summary
Anthony Craig, 66, and Michael Anthony Balmer, 62, both convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment in the UK, have appealed High Court orders that would have had them extradited to the UK to serve the remainder of their sentences. Craig was convicted in 1973 for a murder in Blackburn, served 28 years, escaped to Ireland, and was arrested in 2013 on an extradition warrant. Balmer was convicted in 1984 for a murder in Devon, released on license in 2011, had his license revoked in 2012, and was arrested in Cork. The appeals argue that extradition would subject them to preventative detention under English law, which they claim violates Irish constitutional principles and Article 40.4.2. The cases remain before the Court of Appeal, with counsel for both men presenting their arguments and the Director of Public Prosecutions yet to reply.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Two convicted murderers appeal orders surrendering them back to UK to serve out life sentences. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted
When:
- November 3, 1973 Incident
- February 14, 2013 Incident
- July 28 1983 Incident
- March 2012 Incident
- March 19 2012 Incident
- 2015-03-18 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Anthony Craig (66), with an address in Rathcoole, South Dublin, was convicted and jailed for life for the murder of a man in a park in Blackburn on November 3, 1973. The High Court had ordered both men's surrender to continue serving their life sentences.
Appellant
Outcome: Michael Anthony Balmer (62), with a last address in Cornwall, England, was also sentenced to life imprisonment in 1984 for attacking and killing a woman in her home on the evening of July 28 1983 in Devon, England. The High Court had ordered both men's surrender to continue serving their life sentences.
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