Delay in extradition proceedings against Liam Campbell ‘shameful’ court hears

This story appeared in The Irish News on Wednesday June 10th 2020

Liam Campbell was found civilly liable for the 1998 Omagh bombing

THE delay in extradition proceedings against Liam Campbell, who was found civilly liable for the Omagh bombing and is wanted on weapons trafficking charges in Lithuania, is “shameful”, the High Court in Dublin has heard. Campbell (58) was arrested in Upper Faughart, Dundalk, Co Louth, on the foot of a European Arrest Warrant issued by Lithuanian authorities. It states that he allegedly organised the preparation for the smuggling of weapons in support of the “terrorist grouping” the Real IRA between the end of 2006 and the beginning of 2007. Barrister Remy Farrell, for Campbell, told the High Court on Tuesday June 9th that the objection to extradition was based on the length of time his client has been subject of the warrant and he could be subjected to “inhuman or degrading treatment” in another EU prison.

Omagh bombing carried out by the RIRA in 1998

Mr Farrell said Lithuanian authorities were “culpable with a capital C” over the delay, which amounted to an “abuse of process”, having been seeking his client’s extradition for more than 10 years. The court previously heard that an issue had arisen over the independence of the Lithuanian public prosecutor, which was referred to the European courts by the Supreme Court. In May last year, the EU Court of Justice of the European Union found that the prosecutor general of Lithuania can be considered a “judicial authority” capable of issuing European Arrest Warrants. 

Patrick McGrath, representing the Republic’s Minister for Justice and Equality, said he would consent to a bail variation so that Campbell could be released of a signing-on obligation at a Garda station. Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly, granted continuing bail, adjourned the matter to the following month July 13th 2020, adding that she would be working on a judgement in the interim. Campbell was not present in court.

With many thanks to: The Irish News for the original story