Judgment reserved on Wharrie extradition

THE High Court has reserved judgment in an application by the British authorities for the extradition of Englishman Perry Wharrie, who last July was jailed for 30 years for his role in a significant cocaine smuggling operation in Co Cork.

The extradition of London-born Wharrie, 50, with an address at Pyrles Lane, Loughton, Essex, is being sought for breaching conditions of his release on licence after serving a sentence imposed in relation to the armed robbery of a Securicor van at Barclay’s Bank at Hemel Hempstead on April 14, 1988, during which a police officer was shot dead.

The British authorities claim Wharrie was released on licence in April 2005 on conditions including that he remain in Britain unless he received permission from the authorities. They claim Wharrie left his home in Essex in 2007 without leaving a forwarding address.