A fromer RUC officer who is wanted by the London Metropolitan Police for alleged possession of €825.330 worth of heroin yesterday lost his High Court action to prevent his extradition to Britain.
Mr Matthew Henry Armstrong (60), a native of Tempo, Co Fermanagh, has 21 days to appeal to the Supreme Court.
Mr Armstrong, who describes himself as a businessman and was married three times, has said he has lived in the Republic for 10 years and has carried an Irish passport for more than 20 years. He has an address in Dublin.
Yesterday, Mr Justice Ó Caoimh refused his challenge to a Dublin District Court order of September 24th, 1998, for his extradition.
Mr Armstrong was arrested in Bray, Co Wicklow, on May 12th, 1995, on a warrant issued on January 19th that year alleging possession of €825,330 of heroin in London on June 29th, 1992.
He argued it would be unjust, oppressive and invidious to extradite him in light of the lapse of time since the alleged offence.
Mr Justice Ó Caoimh said that while he was satisfied there had been a significant passage of time, there were circumstances in the case which could be described as exceptional.He was satisfied Mr Armstrong had been accorded due process in the District Court and that his constitutional rights had been vindicated.
Mr Armstrong, who is on bail pending the determination of his challenge, was recruited into the RUC when he was 18.