Mr John Gilligan (46), of Blanchardstown, Dublin, has been further remanded in custody until April 8th at a brief hearing at Woolwich Crown Court, writes Frank Millar.
Mr Gilligan, whose extradition to Ireland has been ordered to face 18 charges, including the murder of journalist Veronica Guerin, is seeking leave in the divisional court in London to petition the House of Lords against the order. Should this fail, his counsel, Ms Clare Montgomery QC, will apply to the House of Lords to hear his case.
Mr Gilligan has been held at Belmarsh high-security prison since October 1996, following his arrest on drugs-related offences after £333,000 in notes was found in his possession at London's Heathrow airport. After hearings at Belmarsh Magistrates Court, he was returned for trial which was technically adjourned after the Irish extradition warrants were served.
The application yesterday for extending the custody limits was made by Mr Nigel Peters QC, on behalf of the Irish Government and Customs and Excise.