Man in custody ahead of UK extradition request

The High Court has remanded in custody a man whose extradition is being sought by the UK authorities in connection with the shooting dead of a British Soldier more than 17 years ago.

The British authorities are seeking the extradition of Anthony Patrick Gorman (aged 39) originally from Co Armagh, but with an address at Bailieborough in Co Cavan.

In an European Arrest warrant seeking Mr Gorman's surrender the UK authorities claim that on April 13, 1992, he murdered Sergeant Michael Newman, a 34-year-old father-of-one in Derby, England.

Mr Gorman is also facing a charge that he conspired to commit murder on dates between January 1, 1992 and April 13, 1992.

Sgt Michael Newman was shot in the head outside an Army careers office where he worked. He died from his wounds the following day. The Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) later claimed responsibility for the killing.

Today at the High Court, Mr Justice Michael Peart, remanded Mr Gorman in custody, pending an application for bail, to appear before the court on a date later this month.

Giving evidence Detective Sergeant Jim Kirwan of the Garda Extradition Unit said that he arrested Mr Gorman at a factory at Shercock, Co Cavan this afternoon on foot of a warrant endorsed by the High Court in 2007.

The Detective said that when the charges contained on the EAW were put to Mr Gorman he said: "I am not saying," and that "you always expect something like this might happen", and asked if there were warrants for "anybody else in relation to this".

No application for bail was made on Mr Gorman's behalf during the proceedings.

However, it was indicated to the court by a lawyer for Mr O'Gorman that it was hoped that an application for bail would be made "as soon as possible".