Liam Adams extradition proceedings adjourned

The brother of Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams was remanded on continuing bail today while his legal team prepare to mount a challenge to his extradition on sex abuse charges.

Liam Adams made a brief appearance at Dublin’s High Court where his case was adjourned until May 19.

The 54-year-old is wanted in the North to answer 18 charges of sexual abuse including rape, indecent assault and gross indecency against his daughter.

Adams, who last month handed himself over to gardaí after a European Arrest Warrant was served, is planning to fight the extradition.

The alleged offences against his daughter Aine Tyrell – who waived her right to anonymity last December – date back from March 1977 to March 1983.

Adams stood at the back of the courtroom in a black suit, white shirt and dark tie during the short hearing.

He has already denied he fled the North a year ago to escape prosecution but claims he feared he and his children were in danger after media reports of the allegations.

He also maintains he will not get a fair trial.

Adams’ barrister Caroline Cummins applied for a four week adjournment while her team seek information from authorities in Northern Ireland.

Ms Cummins told Mr Justice Michael Peart she needed the material before putting forward points of objection to his extradition.

The judge noted there had already been a significant adjournment of the case since last month and said he expected a motion for discovery to be returned by the next hearing.

Adams was remanded on continuing bail until Wednesday May 19 when the case will be heard again at Dublin’s Criminal Courts of Justice.