Courts / Cork / Report
Convicted Murderer's extradition case adjourned until May
Summary
Michael Anthony Balmer, 62, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1984 for murdering a woman in Devon, England, on 28 July 1983. He was conditionally released on licence in March 2011, but the licence was revoked in March 2012 after he was found in Cork, where he was arrested by gardaí. Balmer's lawyers claim he has already served his life sentence, while the State argues that his surrender should be accepted to bring him to justice. The court considered whether the link between his original murder conviction and the present deprivation of liberty on public‑protection grounds was sufficient. Judge John Edwards noted that English punishment had ended and that continued detention for public protection was not acceptable under the Irish constitution. The case was adjourned until 6 May, with Balmer remanded in custody pending further proceedings.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Convicted Murderer's extradition case adjourned until May. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 28, 1983 Adjournment
- March 2011 Incident
- March 2012 Incident
- May 6 Adjournment
- 2014-03-20 Publication
Case subjects
Background Person
Outcome: Michael Anthony Balmer (62), with a last address in Cornwall, England, was 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. It was his submission that the link between the original conviction and the reasons for Balmer's recall were broken, he added, having originally being sentenced 30 years ago.; Mr Justice Edwards remanded Balmer in continuing custody until May 6 next. "Obviously this is a case I'll have to reflect deeply on," said the judge.
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