Limerick man wanted by British authorities consents to extradition

A Limerick man who is being sought by the British authorities in connection with an attempt to traffic illegal drugs worth more than £1m (€1.07m) has consented before the High Court to his extradition to the UK.

Today Mr Keith Gerard McKenna (aged 37), Dooradoyle Park, Limerick told Mr Justice Michael Peart that he was voluntarily consenting to the making of an order for his surrender to the UK.

Mr Ronan Kennedy BL for the State said that the UK authorities were seeking the extradition of Mr McKenna on charges including 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 cannabis, worth £1.14m (€1.23m) into Britain.

The warrant further claimed 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.

Counsel said that the trial in England did not continue after McKenna had left the jurisdiction.

Mr Justice Peart, on hearing that Mr McKenna had received legal advice, said that he was satisfied to make an order for the Limerick man's surrender to the UK. The Judge told Mr McKenna that his extradition would take place "as soon as possible".