Extradition postponed for Cavan man (66) accused of murder of UDR member more than four decades ago
Defendant was arrested by detectives from the Garda Extradition Unit at Dublin Airport
The High Court has put a stay on the extradition of a 66-year-old man wanted in Northern Ireland to face trial for the murder of a part-time member of the Ulster Defence Regiment over 45 years ago.
James Donegan of Bruce Manor, Arva in Co Cavan is wanted by authorities in Northern Ireland where he is accused of the murder of 64-year-old Joseph James Porter at Mountnorris in Co Armagh on a date unknown between June 22 and 25, 1979.
Mr Donegan is also wanted for a second offence of the possession of a firearm and ammunition with the intent to endanger life as well as belonging to a proscribed organisation, namely the Irish Republican Army.
Also read: Longford Circuit Court jury returns guilty verdict on brothers accused of defilement of sister
Last month Mr Justice Patrick McGrath ordered Mr Donegan's surrender to the UK authorities, but he has since put a stay on that order to allow Donegan to appeal his extradition.
When he was arrested at Dublin Airport last June having agreed to meet gardaí as he returned home from holidays, Mr Donegan told arresting officers: "I'm an innocent man".
Mr Donegan was arrested by detectives from the Garda Extradition Unit at Dublin Airport following the endorsement of a Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TaCA) Warrant issued by the Northern Ireland Authorities.
The extradition warrant states that Mr Porter's body was found close to the entrance of his farm at Creggan Road, Mountnorris in Co Armagh on June 24, 1979. A post-mortem examination conducted that day concluded that Mr Porter had died of gunshot wounds to the head and trunk.