A man charged with the murder of his wife in Balbriggan, Co Dublin, three years ago is expected to be extradited from Spain within days.
Mr Colin Whelan (33) was arrested in mid July and is now being detained at a jail in Madrid. He was moved to Madrid from a detention centre in Palma within the last few days indicating that he may soon appear before the Spanish High Court to face an initial extradition hearing.
Mr Whelan's Dundalk-based solicitor confirmed to ireland.com tonight that his client has not yet been brought before a Spanish court.
Mr Whelan was arrested by Spanish police earlier this month while working in a bar in Majorca. He had been charged, in 2001, with the murder of his wife Mary Whelan (nee Gough) at the couple's home in Balbriggan.
He was granted bail but went missing several months before the trial started. His car was found abandoned at Howth harbour but his body was never found.
Since his re-arrest an extradition request under the new European Extradition System has been issued by the Garda Siochana, and is now being processed in the Spanish Judicial System.
Once Mr Whelan appears before the Spanish High Court he will be offered bail or asked to consent to extradition within 21 days.
The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed this evening that Mr Whelan is being detained in prison in Madrid and that he and his family have been offered consular assistance.
A department spokeswoman said the Spanish and Irish authorities are in regular contact regarding his possible extradition.