Supreme Court rules for extradition of Louth man to Spain

The Supreme Court has ordered that a Co Louth man should be extradited to Spain where he is wanted for the alleged murder of his wife.

The five judges of the court unanimously upheld a High Court order of May 27 ordering that Michael Dermot McArdle (aged 36), of Brookfield, Heynestown, Dundalk should be extradited to Spain.

McArdle is wanted for the alleged murder of his wife Kelly Anne, who died following a fall from a hotel balcony in Marbella on February 12, 2000. McArdle had been staying with his wife and children at a hotel in Marbella. Mrs McArdle died after falling from the fourth floor room where the family was staying.

The extradition order was the first of its kind to be made here under the European Arrest Warrant, 2003, which came into effect in 2004.

Following the Supreme Court's order, McArdle hugged relatives in the courtroom before he was taken into custody. Under the extradition legislation, he must be handed over to the Spanish authorities within fifteen days.

The European arrest warrant was issued by a judge in Spain and was endorsed by a High Court order on November 16, 2004 and McArdle was arrested by gardaí at Ballyjamesduff in Co Cavan on November 22, 2004.