US seeks extradition of former Irish political leader

The United States is seeking the extradition of former Workers Party president Sean Garland due to his alleged involvement in a large-scale operation to make high-quality counterfeit US dollars, the High Court heard today.

Yesterday at the High Court Mr Justice Michael Peart remanded Mr Garland, who turns 75 in March, in custody to Cloverhill Prison.

He is scheduled to appear before the court next Wednesday. Mr Garland did not speak during today's brief court appearance.

The American authorities claim that Mr Garland, with an address at Beldonstown, Brownstown, Navan Co Meath, conspired with others as part of a counterfeiting operation involving almost perfect copies of US dollars, outside the United States.

It is also alleged that this counterfeiting involved the government of North Korea.