Courts / Meath / Report
Convicted murderer says decision on NI extradition should be stayed
Summary
A man convicted of murder has sought a stay on extradition proceedings pending the outcome of his application to transfer his prison sentence from Northern Ireland to the Republic. James Meehan (54), with addresses in Derry City and Kells, Co Meath, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2009 for the murder of Jim McFadden in May 2007 following an incident in Donegal. Meehan left Northern Ireland in October 2022 whilst on release conditions and later moved to Kells. He was arrested by arrangement in May this year on foot of extradition warrants. At the High Court hearing, his counsel argued that the punitive element of his sentence had been served and that determination of his sentence-transfer application, pending since 2017, should precede any extradition decision. The State's counsel contended he was unlawfully at large from temporary release and that court could not delay proceedings whilst a live prosecution existed in the North. Ms Justice Melanie Greally adjourned judgment to Friday, 8 December.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Convicted murderer says decision on NI extradition should be stayed. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- May 2007 Incident
- October 9, 2022 Other
- Friday, December 8 Adjournment
- December 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2023-11-22 Publication
Why: He argued that on October 9, 2022 Meehan was not on temporary release but actually "on licence" – a life-long suspended sentence – because the mandatory minimum sentence of 14 years had been backdated by one and a half years. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Outcome: James Meehan (54) has also argued that the punitive part of his sentence has been served and that he had actually been released from prison "on licence" when he came to live here late last year. Meehan, with addresses in Derry City and Headfort Grove, Kells, Co Meath, was sentenced in 2009 to life imprisonment – with a minimum of 14 years to be served – for the murder of Derry man Jim McFadden in May 2007.; Ms Justice Greally adjourned the matter, for judgement, to Friday, December 8.
Places mentioned
- High Court
- Northern Ireland Prison
- by appointment at Bridewell Garda Station
Topics
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