Sinn Féin calls for Rogan's release

Sinn Féin has demanded the release of the North Belfast man who was arrested on Tuesday in the Spanish Canary Islands on foot of British extradition papers. The British allege Michael Rogan was involved in the 1996 IRA attack on Thiepval Barracks, the British Army's Six-County headquarters.

Commenting on the arrest, Sinn Féin Assembly member Gerry Kelly said Rogan should be released immediately.

"Michael Rogan is one of a small number of people who have fallen into an anomaly which has arisen since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement," he said.

"Michael Rogan has been exiled from his home in Belfast for a number of years.

"Many people will view his arrest in Spain yesterday while on holidays on the foot of British warrants as vindictive and unnecessary. "

"Michael Rogan should be released and allowed to return home to his family in Ireland."