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 

Liam Campbell Extradition case before the Court today.

Release Liam Campbell – Stop the Extradition of Irish Citizens

There is “no reason” why the surrender of an Irishman to Lithuania to face prosecution for alleged terrorism offences and the trafficking of weapons to Ireland should be refused, the High Court has heard.

Liam Campbell (54) was arrested in Upper Faughart, Dundalk Co Louth on December 2, 2016 on foot of a European Arrest Warrant issued by Lithuanian authorities.

The arrest warrant for Mr Campbell stated that he had allegedly organised the preparation for the smuggling of the weapons in support of the “terrorist grouping” the Real IRA (RIRA) between the end of 2006 and the beginning of 2007.

“While acting in an organised group he made arrangements for illegal possession of a considerable amount of powerful firearms, ammunition, explosive devices and substances,” according to the warrant which was endorsed by the High Court in Dublin last November.

Opening an application for surrender today, counsel for the Minister for Justice, Mr Ronan Kennedy BL, told Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly that “subject to the points that Mr Farrell raises there is no reason why the court should refuse surrender under the various provisions.” The respondent faces a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment if surrendered.

Opposing the application for Mr Campbell’s surrender today, his barrister, Mr Remy Farrell SC, said that if his client was surrendered he would face a significant period of pre-trial detention. “It would undoubtedly be the case that a pre-trial investigation would be required.

There is a complete distinction in Lithuania between an investigation and a trial,” he said.

Referring to the possibility of a trial he said:”We are in the realms of an event that may nor may not happen.”

Counsel further submitted that if there was to be a trial there would be an issue as to whether Mr Campbell would receive a fair trial, particularly having regard to the issue of translation.

The hearing, which is expected to last three days, will resume tomorrow. Mr Campbell was remanded on continuing bail

With many thanks to: Irish Republican Prisoner News.