9 April 1998 Edition

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Extradition destabilising peace process

The continuing efforts by both the British and Irish governments to extradite republicans has become an increasingly destabilising force to the current peace process.

Seven men are currently under threat from British extradition warrants supported by the Dublin government. Andrew Martin, Nessan Quinlivan, Dermot McNally, Tony Kelly, Pearse McCauley, Angelo Fusco and Tony Duncan are currently sought for extradition, arousing anger from many republicans.

Andy Martin was the most recent to be arrested on foot of British extradition warrants. On the morning of his release from Portlaoise prison on 28 March, following five years incarceration, Martin was served with extradition warrants on conspiracy charges relating to dates between November and December 1988. He was released on £40,000 bail last Friday, thirty minutes after the tragic death of his mother.

It is absurd that the Irish government should acquiesce in such provocative actions at this time. One must also consider the hypocrisy of the 26 county government condemning the conditions in Special Secure Units in Belmarsh prison while simultaneously supporting the extradition of Irish prisoners there.

Angelo Fusco won his extradition hearing in 1995 following a Dublin District Court order to have him ``delivered into'' RUC custody in January 1992. The High Court decided that his extradition would be unjust. However, the 26 county government appealed this decision to the Supreme Court and on 18 Febuary this year it was decided to order Fusco's ``delivery up.'' He is currently on the run.

Tony Kelly's case has also caused controversy. Kelly escaped from the H-Blocks in 1983, although extradition warrants were not issued against him until October 1997. He had been living openly in Donegal for some years and it seemed totally inconsistent when he was arrested by Gardaí at such a critical juncture. Kelly was subsequently released on bail, but is still living with the knowledge that the crown forces wish to jail him in Long Kesh.

Commenting on the extradition cases, Sinn Féin Vice President Pat Doherty said, ``the decision to serve extradition warrants on released prisoners smacks of brinkmanship from the securocrats in both jurisdictions. Rather than involving itself in the extradition of Irish citizens the Dublin government should be ensuring the release of all political prisoners.''

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