Suspect in fatal hit-and-run to be extradited

A 22-year-old man from the north Cork area, arrested in connection with a fatal hit-and-run accident as he was about to board a flight to Australia at Heathrow Airport, is to be extradited.

The suspect, who was arrested on February 11, has not put in an appeal against an extradition order and is due to appear in court here in a matter of days.

He is to be charged arising from the death of 42-year-old cyclist Paud O’Leary, who was knocked down by a vehicle that did not remain at the scene, near Gneeveguilla, Co Kerry, on July 1, 2012.

On February 19, at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, the man was given seven days in which to give notice of an appeal against his extradition.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed however, that an appeal has not been lodged.

Mr O’Leary, a married father of four from Leamaglissane, Gneeveguilla, was training for a charity cycle when he was struck by a charcoal grey Toyota Land Cruiser, about 1km from his home.

It is understood the suspect initially fled to Britain before moving to Australia.

Gardaí, who had been liaising with Australian police, received information the man was coming back to Britain for a short time. Then they contacted UK police who arrested him at Heathrow.

The death of Mr O’Leary, who was active in sporting and community affairs, shocked people. It is believed he was hit between 5am and 8am that day, but his body wasn’t discovered until several hours later.

He has a daughter with Down Syndrome and was due to take part in the annual Ring of Kerry Cycle in aid of the Kerry Down Syndrome Association.

Hundreds of people took part in searches in the Cork/Kerry border area for the missing 4x4 which, according to gardaí, must have been damaged in the accident. The search was extended countrywide, but it has not been recovered.

There is speculation the vehicle may have been taken out of the country, while gardaí are still working on the possibility it could have been hidden or scrapped.