A British man who is accused of stealing a yacht in County Cork has become the first person to be arrested under the new European arrest warrant.
Mr Lawrence Andrew McMillan (52) of no fixed abode, is set to appear at central London's Bow Street Magistrates' Court today.
Mr McMillan is alleged to have stolen the yacht from Crosshaven Boatyard, County Cork, in October.
He is also charged with stealing two Rolex watches from a jeweller's in Killarney, County Kerry, and another Rolex watch from a Galway City jeweller in July.
The warrant, introduced on January 1, replaces national extradition deals between EU member states.
It aims to help governments bring to justice people charged with serious criminal offences who are sheltering in another EU member state.
Eight EU member states have implemented the warrant, while the seven remaining members - including France, Germany and Italy - have pledged to implement the legislation by March.
PA