THE LITHUANIAN authorities have withdrawn their extradition request for a Co Louth man on weapons and terrorism charges because they want the matter determined by the courts in Northern Ireland, the High Court was told yesterday.
The Lithuanian authorities had sought the extradition of Liam Campbell (46), Upper Faughart, Dundalk, whom they allege was involved in a conspiracy to obtain weapons, ammunition and explosive substances in the Baltic republic between late 2006 and 2007.
Mr Campbell had secured bail from the High Court following his arrest in the Republic earlier this year on foot of the extradition warrant but he remains in custody in Northern Ireland following his arrest there last May on foot of an extradition warrant relating to the same charges.
In the High Court yesterday, Patrick McGrath, for the State, said the Lithuanian authorities want the matter determined by the Northern Ireland courts and wished to withdraw the extradition proceedings before the court here.
Mr Campbell’s application to the Northern Ireland court to have the case heard in the Republic, where the proceedings were at an advanced stage, was unsuccessful.
Hugh Hartnett SC, for Mr Campbell, said there were still a number of other matters which needed to be addressed.
Mr Justice Michael Peart made an order striking out the extradition warrant here and discharged a bench warrant previously issued for Mr Campbell’s arrest following his non-appearance before the Dublin court as a result of his arrest in the North. The judge adjourned outstanding issues in relation to Mr Campbell’s lawyers to early October.
The judge also fixed trial dates in early November for extradition proceedings brought by the Lithuanian authorities against Brendan McGuigan (29), with an address at New Houses, Knocknagoran, Omeath, Co Louth and Séamus McGreevey (56), St Annes, Stamullen Road, Gormanston, Co Meath. The Lithuanian authorities are seeking both men’s extradition on charges similar to those against Mr Campbell.
Liam Campbell was previously found guilty in May 2004 by the non-jury Special Criminal Court (SCC) of membership of the IRA.
The SCC also convicted him of a second charge of membership of an illegal organisation on July 29th, 2001.
In a landmark civil case brought by relatives of victims of the 1998 Omagh bombing, Mr Campbell was one of four men found by a judge at Belfast High Court to be responsible for the bombing.
The relatives sued the men and the Real IRA as an organisation for up to £14 million (€16 million).