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.
dy 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.
gelo 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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