An Irish man who was charged with the murder of his wife in 2001 is facing extradition to Ireland after he was arrested in Majorca, Spain, at the weekend.
Mr Colin Whelan (31), with an address at Clonard Street, Balbriggan, Co Dublin, was charged with the murder of his wife, Mrs Mary Whelan, in March 2001.
Mrs Whelan (27) was found dead in the couple's home. A post-mortem revealed she had been strangled. Mr Whelan was charged with the murder six weeks after his wife's death.
However, he was granted bail and had not been heard of since he disappeared in March 2003. He was being held last night in a prison in the Majorcan capital of Palma.
Gardaí are expected to try and secure his extradition under the new European extradition warrant.
Under the terms of the warrant, the Spanish authorities must bring Mr Whelan before a court in Spain for an extradition hearing within 21 days.
It is understood no date has yet been set in Spain for such a hearing.