John Downey granted bail pending extradition hearing

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

John Downey was granted bail by the High Court in Dublin on 8 November 2018, pending a hearing on his proposed extradition to Northern Ireland. Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly granted bail on his own bond of €5,000 and an independent surety of €30,000.

Northern Irish authorities were seeking his surrender to face prosecution for the murders of Lance Corporal Alfred Johnston and Private James Eames and for aiding and abetting the causing of an explosion on 25 August 1972. The soldiers were killed when a device exploded in a vehicle they were checking in Enniskillen. Downey was arrested at his Donegal home on 5 November 2018 under a European Arrest Warrant.

His bail conditions required him to sign on daily at Letterkenny Garda Station, live at his usual address, provide gardaí with a mobile number and keep the phone switched on, remain in the State, not apply for travel documents, attend the High Court when ordered and keep the peace. He was returned to prison while the bail terms were finalised.

The full extradition hearing was listed for 23 November 2018. His counsel, Tony McGillicuddy BL, said objections had been drafted and other arguments were being explored, including an issue concerning immunity from prosecution or punishment. He said Downey’s passport had already been handed to gardaí.