Courts / Derry / Report

Pensioners to be extradited to NI over 1975 murder of RUC officer

Summary

Two men in their seventies will be extradited to Northern Ireland to face charges relating to the 1975 murder of an RUC officer, the High Court has ruled. John Edward McNicholl, aged 73, of Newmills, Letterkenny, County Donegal, and Seamus Christopher O'Kane, aged 74, of County Meath, had argued their surrender would constitute an abuse of process due to the substantial delay in seeking their extradition. Mr Justice Patrick McGrath rejected both applications, finding no evidence to suggest either man would be denied a fair trial in Northern Ireland. McNicholl and O'Kane face charges arising from the investigation into the death of Constable Robert John McPherson, shot dead in County Derry on 26 July 1975. Both men escaped from the Maze Prison in May 1976 before trial proceedings commenced. The matter was adjourned to 3 April, with both men remanded on continuing bail pending their surrender.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Pensioners to be extradited to NI over 1975 murder of RUC officer. Charges or matters: murdering Constable McPherson and attempted murder, while Mr O'Kane is charged with possession of firearms, including an RUC-issued firearm taken during the ambush on Constable McPherson. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

• May 1976 Hearing Or Sentence
• July 26, 1975 Incident
• April 3 Adjournment
• February 16, 1976 Incident
• May 5, 1976 Hearing Or Sentence
• February 17 1976 Incident
• 2025-03-20 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Charge Or Pretrial Violent Crime

Related court reports

• Pensioners can appeal extradition to NI over 1975 murder of RUC officer
• UK's extradition request over 1975 murder of RUC officer an 'abuse of process', men to argue
• TD offers bail surety for man accused of murdering RUC officer
• Pensioner appears before High Court after arrest in connection with 1975 murder of RUC officer

Read the original CNI report