Britain is seeking the extradition of a 47-year-old English man who is in custody here in relation to the recent major cocaine find in Co Cork, it emerged at the High Court yesterday.
The court was told the extradition of Perry Wharrie, Pyrles Lane, Loughton, Essex, is being sought in relation to the 1988 armed robbery of a Securicor van at a bank in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, during which a police officer was shot dead. Wharrie, along with two others, was convicted in connection with the shooting dead of an off-duty police officer PC Frank Mason (27), who had intervened during the robbery.
During a struggle with the robbers a single shot was fired, by another party, which killed PC Mason.
In 1989, Wharrie was given a life sentence for the murder and received concurrent sentences for robbery and firearms offences. Wharrie was released on licence in April 2005. Among the conditions were that he should not leave the UK unless he received permission, and that he must maintain regular contact with the authorities.
Last February, British authorities were informed that Wharrie had left his home in Essex and had not left a forwarding address, it is claimed. The High Court was told that Wharrie had been arrested yesterday morning on foot of the extradition warrant.
When the charges were put to him, Wharrie confirmed his identity. Mr Justice Michael Peart remanded him in custody until next Monday.