SENIOR Garda officers are due in Belfast today to interview Brendan Smyth about allegations of sexual abuse of children in the Republic.
The 68 year old priest will be brought from Magilligan Prison, Co Derry, to be interviewed at Antrim Road RUC station.
It is understood the gardai will question Smyth about alleged offences in Dublin, Mayo and Cavan. At least eight of the allegations arose after the original Garda investigation had finished.
The authorities in Dublin are not expected to try to bring Smyth to court until he has been released from prison in Northern Ireland. Gardai hope he will surrender himself voluntarily to face charges in the Republic.
"We don't want to face an extradition battle," said a senior Garda source.
Smyth has been in prison since June 1994, when he received a four year sentence for sexually abusing children over a 20 year period in West Belfast. Last September, he was given a concurrent sentence of three years when he admitted further charges.
It has been learned that he has applied for release on parole. He becomes eligible at the end of this month but his solicitor, Mr Denis Maloney, said the application could be affected by reports that the RUC intended to interview him again.
"It was clearly understood that the file was closed after my clients pleaded guilty last September," said Mr Maloney. "We were then led to believe that all outstanding matters had been dealt with but now it seems that may not be the case.
"What worries me is that this elderly cleric, who has a recognised heart condition, may be pursued to the end of his days, Are justice and truth to be advanced one iota by prolonging this sad and tragic affair?
"The defendant himself often asks the question: can anything further be done to him that has not already been done?"