Limerick wanted in UK is remanded in custody

The High Court has remanded in custody a Limerick man whose extradition is being sought by the UK authorities in connection with an attempt to import cannabis worth more than £1m (€1.12m).

Mr Justice Henry Abbott today remanded Mr Keith Gerard McKenna (aged 37), Dooradoyle Park, Limerick in custody to Cloverhill until next week when he is again due before the court.

The UK authorities are seeking the extradition of Mr McKenna on charges that in August 2006 he absconded two days into his trial at Canterbury Crown Court where he was on trial for importing 380 kgs of cannibis, worth £1.14m (€1.27m) into Britain.

The warrant claims that Mr McKenna was accused of importing the drugs, which were concealed in a lorry containing pork, which he was driving at Eastern Docks, Dover in May of 2005. Mr McKenna had denied any knowledge of the cannabis.

The court heard that Mr McKenna was arrested in Limerick yesterday morning on foot of an European Arrest warrant endorsed by the High Court. When arrested McKenna confirmed his identity to the Gardaí.

The court also heard that when asked if he knew what the charges contained in the warrant were about, Mr McKenna replied: "Yes." No application for bail was made on Mr McKenna's behalf.