Extradition papers for US suicide activist

Gardaí have confirmed the FBI is in possession of papers for the extradition of an American "right-to-die" activist for his alleged role in helping an Irish woman to commit suicide in Dublin.

The Rev George Exoo is accused of participating in the "assisted suicide" of Rosemary Toole Gilhooly (49) in January 2002.

An inquest into her death heard yesterday that the FBI was in possession of extradition papers but these had yet to be "set in train" in the US.

Garda Sgt Séamus Finn of Donnybrook Garda station requested a "lengthy adjournment" of the inquest, suggesting no imminent development in the case. Mr Exoo has previously denied assisting in the woman's suicide but has admitted to being present when Ms Toole Gilhooly ended her life in a rented house in Donnybrook.

He also said he had been paid $2,500 (€1,900) by Ms Toole Gilhooly for expenses for himself and his assistant, Thomas McGurrin, for their trip to Ireland. Mr Exoo (62) is the head of the New River Unitarian Universalist Church in West Virginia, and a support group, Compassionate Chaplaincy, which is accused of assisting more than 100 people to commit suicide.

He was previously questioned by police in the US about the death of a 79-year-old widow in Florida but was not charged despite admitting that he secured a bag over her head to aid suffocation.

The inquest into the death of Ms Toole Gilhooly was adjourned at the Dublin Coroner's Court to October 12th.