John Edward McNicholl’s extradition upheld over murder charge

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

John Edward McNicholl’s extradition over the murder of an RUC officer was upheld by the Court of Appeal on 16 March 2026.

The court also upheld the extradition of Seamus Christopher O’Kane, who faces firearms charges connected to the case. It stayed both extraditions to allow the men to ask the Supreme Court to hear their cases.

The men face charges arising from the 1975 murder of Constable Robert John McPherson and the attempted murder of a second constable. McNicholl is charged with murder and attempted murder; O’Kane is charged with possessing firearms, including a firearm taken during the ambush.

The Court of Appeal rejected arguments that the delay in seeking extradition amounted to an abuse of process. Its ruling leaves the extradition orders in place, subject to the stay while a Supreme Court hearing is sought.