Suspect in Guerin murder awaiting extradition to the UK

Police in Holland have arrested convicted Irish criminal John Traynor, who fled Ireland following the murder of journalist Veronica Guerin in 1996.

The 62-year-old has been on the run for 18 years and was arrested by Dutch police in Amsterdam.

It is understood he was detained after officers found him carrying a fake ID while trying to hire a car.

He is now awaiting extradition to the UK to finish a seven-year sentence for fraud and will appear in court in the coming days.

Gardaí say that Traynor was a live suspect in their investigation into the murder of journalist Veronica Guerin who was gunned down on the Naas Road at Newland's Cross in 1996.

He was a close associate of John Gilligan - the leader of the gang thought to be responsible for the shooting - and officers believe he pinpointed her whereabouts for the gunmen on the day of her murder, something he has always denied.

However, it is expected that Gardaí are unlikely to make any moves to bring him back here.