The IRA bombing suspect arrested in the Canary Islands is to be extradited to Northern Ireland and is expected in Belfast within day. Dan Keenan, Northern News Editor, reports.
Michael Gerard Rogan (44) is wanted in connection with the 1996 bombing of the British army's Northern Ireland headquarters in which one soldier died and 31 others were injured.
The suspect, originally from Easton Avenue in north Belfast, appeared in court in October 1997 and was remanded to return the following month but he failed to appear.
He was arrested on Monday in the holiday resort of Playa de Las Americas in Tenerife. He appeared before a court in Madrid on Wednesday, where he did not contest efforts to have him returned to Northern Ireland.
His case has highlighted marked differences between the DUP and Sinn Féin, as efforts continue to find an accommodation between the two parties and the British government that would enable the restoration of devolution after two years of direct rule.
Sinn Féin views the arrest as petty, vindictive and unnecessary, while the DUP has called for Mr Rogan to face justice in court in connection with the double bombing of the Thiepval barracks in Lisburn.