Courts / Meath / Report
Murderer alleged to have gone on the run twice in three years asks for delay in extradition
Summary
James Meehan, 56, a convicted murderer sentenced to life with a 14‑year minimum for the 2007 murder of Jim McFadden, fled from Magilligan prison in Derry during a day‑release in December 2024 and was arrested by Gardaí in August 2025 on extradition warrants issued under the Trade and Co‑operation Agreement. He had previously been extradited to Northern Ireland after being described as unlawfully at large. In 2017 he applied to transfer his life sentence from the North to the Republic, a request he reiterated in court. Defence counsel Brian Storan argued that Meehan's temporary release was granted by both Irish and Northern Irish authorities and that he sought a stay on the surrender to allow authorities to consider his transfer application. Judge Paul McDermott adjourned the case to 14 November to allow the defence to present evidence of correspondence regarding the transfer request.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Murderer alleged to have gone on the run twice in three years asks for delay in extradition. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 2024 Incident
- May 2007 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 9 2024 Hearing Or Sentence
- November 14 Adjournment
- December 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2025-10-30 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Outcome: James Meehan wants to serve the remainder of his sentence in prison south of the border Photo: Collins) By Fionnuala Walsh A convicted murderer who is alleged to have gone on the run from prison in Northern Ireland for the second time in three years has asked a judge to delay surrendering him back to the North so that authorities can consider transferring his sentence to the Republic. Meehan, who previously had 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.; Mr Justice McDermott said that he would not make a decision on the matter, but adjourned proceedings until November 14 in order for the defence team to present evidence of correspondence between Meehan and the Northern Irish authorities in relation to his application to transfer his sentence.
Places mentioned
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