Dutch receive Greek extradition request for notorious Irish fugitive

ONE of Ireland’s most notorious fugitives, Dutch-based Tommy Savage appeared before a magistrate in Amsterdam yesterday on foot of an extradition request from the Greek authorities.

He is wanted in connection with the seizure of four tonnes of cannabis in Greece in 1997. If the alleged drugs baron rejects a fast track extradition procedure the case could be a long drawn out one, even ending up in the Dutch Supreme Court.

Garda sources confirmed yesterday there are no warrants outstanding for his extradition to Ireland, either in relation to drug seizures or murders.

But one source said: “There is no doubt that he was one of the more notorious people involved in drug trafficking over the last number of years. All shipments that were not traced back to any particular individual, his name was always mentioned as being behind it. Either him or George Mitchell.

“It’s great that he got nabbed. The more the merrier.”

Savage, aged 53, helped run budget hotel, De Harmonie on Amsterdam’s Prinsengracht, in the heart of the city, close to the Red Light District and across the road from one of its largest police stations. He lived with a woman called Macy and travelled widely through Europe, returning to Ireland only on rare occasions, always in disguise.

He was known to Dutch police but had a clean record there. Described by neighbours as “friendly and outgoing,” staff at the 59 a night hotel last night refused to talk about the arrest. “We’re full and will remain so, get off the line, you’re blocking my phone and I’m expecting a call,” a Dutch woman who answered the telephone said.

Savage’s double life came to an abrupt end on Wednesday when arresting officers armed with a Greek extradition warrant strolled across the road to the hotel.

Here, gardaí believe newer drug gangs used Savage for his contacts.

“There are a large number of small groups bringing in significant amounts. Some of those groups would have been introduced to their contacts in Holland by Savage.”

Gardaí would like to speak to him about drugs shipments and as a possible witness in connection with the 1993 murder of Gerry Hourigan in Ballymun, north Dublin.