Irish man’s extradition case delayed over alleged rape charges

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

The High Court in Dublin agreed to pause extradition proceedings involving a 78-year-old Irish man wanted to face prosecution in London on 10 counts, including rape, attempted rape and indecent assault. Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly reserved judgment until October 14.

The court was told that the alleged offences took place in the Camden area and Essex between 1960 and 1973. The case involved a European Arrest Warrant issued by Westminster Magistrates Court in September 2015.

The report said the judge agreed to delay the proceedings for three months after lawyers argued that any trial might take place after Britain left the European Union. The man’s barrister, Patrick Gageby, argued that the court could not be sure whether a trial would happen before or after Britain’s EU exit.

Counsel for Ireland’s minister for justice, Ronan Kennedy, said the court must treat Britain as an EU member. Separately, a Home Office spokesman said Britain would retain the rights and obligations of membership until it left the EU.