An Irishman suspected of being a major drugs dealer is in custody in the Netherlands after being arrested in Amsterdam earlier this week following a request for his extradition to Greece where he is wanted for questioning about drugs offences, writes Isabel Conway, in Amsterdam.
The decision by the Dutch examining magistrate on his continuing custody will be made known later today.
Mr Tommy Savage, who is from Swords, Co Dublin, and who left Ireland in 1992, could draw out an extradition process for many months and even years if he rejects a "quickie" handover to the Greek authorities, Amsterdam's Public Prosecution service said.
"If the court decides that the extradition papers are in order, and that he should be handed over to Greek police, the case could nevertheless go to the appeal courts and from there to the supreme court, and it all takes a long time," a spokeswoman said.
Dutch extradition laws require that the alleged offence is also an indictable crime in the Netherlands and the minister for justice has the final say in all extradition cases.
Mr Savage has helped run a budget hotel in the heart of Amsterdam for over a decade. He has no criminal record in the Netherlands.
Ironically the Hotel De Harmonie, on Prinsengracht, close to some of the city's major tourist attractions, and which is his base, is just across the road from the district police station.
Regularly he would walk his dog past the police station and greet officers coming and going.
Patrons from the US have apparently been so impressed with Mr Savage's hospitality and friendliness that they have provided an Internet recommendation on a site about Amsterdam good value accommodation.
One former guest recalls how "Tommy and Mavy took great care of us". They made them "feel part of the family".
Contacted yesterday, a Dutch woman who answered the telephone at De Harmonie banged the receiver down, saying: "Stop blocking my phone, I am expecting a call and you are blocking it."
The hotel is in a tall, gabled canal-side building, similar to many others along the historic Prinsengracht, where similar buildings, even those in need of repair, sell for €1 million upwards.
Mr Savage was arrested on Wednesday.
Armed with an extradition request from Greek police who want him in connection with a 4,000 kilo cannabis haul, several officers strolled across the road from their precinct headquarters and arrested him.
"There was a warrant for his arrest on the foot of an extradition request from the Greek authorities who want to question him about drugs trafficking; we knew his whereabouts in advance - that he lives across the road from our bureau on Prinsengracht - so there was no problem in arresting him" said Amsterdam police spokesman, Mr Ron Runmoes.
Mr Savage's appearance before the examining magistrate was closed to all except the public prosecutor, the accused and lawyers.
It could take several months before an extradition hearing in open court is held, according to officials, who said an announcement on a further term of custody would be made later today.