A TRIPLE killer whose extradition from Ireland to England is being sought was refused bail by the High Court yesterday.
Alan Patrick Reeve (49) absconded from Broadmoor Hospital, Crawthorn, Berkshire, nearly 16 years ago. He later went to Holland and has been living in Ireland for the past two years. He was arrested earlier this month.
Reeve was living at St Mary's Place, off Cathedral Street, Cork, with his partner and their son. He was involved in a FAS scheme at Cork Women's Poetry Circle.
Rejecting his application for bail pending the extradition proceedings outcome, Mr Justice Carney said he was only concerned with whether Reeve would attend during the extradition process.
Reeve had a history of absconding and of international mobility, added Mr Justice Carney. He was satisfied that the opposition to bail was evidentially supported and there was a likelihood he might abscond.
In October, 1964, Reeve was convicted at Chelmsford, Essex, of the manslaughter of Mr Roger Barry Jackson two months before. He was ordered to be detained in Broadmoor Hospital under the Mental Health Act without limit of time.
In November, 1967, Reeve was convicted of the manslaughter, of a fellow inmate. In August, 1981, Reeve absconded from Broadmoor and later went to Holland, where he was convicted in 1982 of the manslaughter of a policemen and served 10 years.
Sgt Martin O'Reilly told Mr Justice Carney that on February 20th last year he had received an extradition warrants from the UK authorities. On April 3rd last, he arrested Reeve at McCain Street Garda station, Cork, on foot of the extradition warrants. A date for the extradition hearing had not been fixed.
The garda said he was aware Reeve had come to Ireland about two years ago. He had not come to the notice of the gardai. He had continued to use his own name. He had registered in his own name in relation to a FAS (training) scheme and social welfare.
Mr Christopher Johnson Vinell, a nurse at Broadmoor, said that Reeve had been detained there in the 1960s subject to review. He understood there had been reviews of his detention.
Det Sgt David Edmondson, Thames Valley Police, said he had been contacted by the Garda about Reeve in August, 1995. He sent details of Reeve to gardai and they confirmed that Reeve was in Cork.
The British home secretary had the final decision on the detention of patients at Broadmoor.
Under cross examination by Mr Charles Corcoran, counsel for Reeve, Sgt Edmondson said that Reeve had never been discharged from Broadmoor. Two recommendations that he be discharged had been turned down. He had been a patient in Broadmoor, not a prisoner.
In evidence, Reeve told Mr Justice Carney that he had come to Ireland from Holland and he had paid his debt to society there. He had been employed on FAS work since July/August, 1996. He was employed with Cork Poetry Circle. He had not come to the notice of gardai.
He intended to marry his partner, Ms Anne Murphy, shortly. They had become engaged in October, 1995. He was willing to abide by any conditions of bail laid down by the court.
Reeve said that in 1977-1981 there had been three separate recommendations for his release but all were turned down. He had become disheartened.
Ms Murphy, in evidence, said she and Reeve intended marrying next month. She found him caring, loving and dependable. He would not abscond. She was confident he would abide by any conditions of bail.
Asked if she was aware Reeve ought to be in Broadmoor, Ms Murphy said she was aware of all the circumstances. She felt he had done enough time.