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Two convicted murderers must await outcome of appeal against order to return them to serve life sentences in UK
Summary
Two convicted murderers, Anthony Craig (66) and Michael Anthony Balmer (62), are appealing a High Court order requiring their extradition to serve life sentences in the UK. Both men had previously served the punitive parts of their sentences and were subject to continued detention due to the risk they posed to the public. Craig, 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. He escaped from prison after serving 28 years and was arrested in Ireland in 2013. Balmer, with a last address in Cornwall, England, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1984 for the murder of a woman in Devon on July 28, 1983. He came to Ireland in 2012 following his conditional release on license, which was later revoked. The appeal is based on the argument that their extradition would result in immediate preventative detention, which is contrary to Irish law and the Irish Constitution. The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment and will deliver its decision on May 21. The matter remains under appeal and has not been finalised.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Two convicted murderers must await outcome of appeal against order to return them to serve life sentences in UK. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted
When:
- May 21 Hearing Or Sentence
- November 3, 1973 Incident
- February 14, 2013 Incident
- July 28 1983 Incident
- March 2012 Incident
- March 19 2012 Incident
- 2015-03-19 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Both men had served the punitive part of their sentences and their continued detention had been subject to the risk they posed to the public. Additional copy from submissions by counsel for both men Craig, 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.
Appellant
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Additional copy from submissions by counsel for both men Craig, 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. 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.
Places mentioned
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