John Gilligan is to be extradited back to Ireland to face charges of murdering the journalist, Veronica Guerin, importing several tons of cannabis and having firearms. Mr Gilligan, who is in prison in England, was to have appeared in court in London on Monday on charges relating to alleged drugs trafficking.
It is now expected that warrants for his extradition will be served today and proceedings to have him returned to this jurisdiction will begin immediately. Mr Gilligan has six days in which to appeal against his extradition and then there could be some months while any appeal is considered. If no appeal is lodged he could be returned to Ireland within hours of the warrants being processed.
Detectives investigating Ms Guerin's murder lodged 18 warrants with Scotland Yard for the extradition last week. The move came as it grew more likely that the case against Mr Gilligan in London could be withdrawn.
News of the development came last night, as prosecution counsel in London said a "major, major development" would be announced at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday, where Mr Gilligan's trial was due to begin.
Mr Gilligan's barrister, Ms Clare Montgomery QC, has been informed that her client's extradition is being sought.
Mr Gilligan was arrested at Heathrow Airport in October last year as he attempted to board a flight to Amsterdam. He had concealed £330,000 in cash in his hand luggage. He was facing four charges of drug trafficking in England.
Mr Nigel Peters QC, for the prosecution, said last night he could not comment on reports that the case against Mr Gilligan would be withdrawn on Monday.
The warrant facing Mr Gilligan (46), originally from Ballyfermot but resident at the Jessbrook Stud, Co Kildare, until his arrest in England, includes the charge of murdering Ms Guerin, on June 26th last year.
Ms Guerin was shot dead by a gunman who alighted from a motorcycle as she stopped her car at traffic lights on the Naas dual carriageway, at Newlands Cross. She had been the State's most prominent crime reporter.