Court may set hearing date for McArdle extradition at end of month

The High Court may decide before the end of the month to fix a date to hear extradition proceedings against a Co Louth man, who three years ago was found guilty by a Spanish court of the manslaughter of his wife.

Michael Dermot McArdle (aged 41) of Brookfield, Heynestown, Dundalk, is wanted by Spanish authorities to serve a two-year sentence for causing the death of Kelly Ann Corcoran over 10 years ago.

The mother-of-two died from injuries sustained when she fell from a hotel balcony while on a family holiday in Marbella on the Costa del Sol on February 11, 2000.

Lawyers for McArdle told the extradition court this morning that they were seeking an adjournment for three weeks, when it is anticipated they will be in a position to fix a date for hearing.

McArdle was convicted by a jury in Malaga in October 2008 but was allowed to return to Ireland pending an appeal.

He was due to hand himself in to the Spanish authorities to begin his jail sentence in September of last year, but failed to do so and was arrested in January on foot of a European Arrest Warrant issued by a Spanish judge.

In February lawyers for McArdle told the High Court that their client was appealing to the Constitutional Court in Spain and had a “legitimate expectation” that he would not have to return to the jurisdiction until after the outcome of this appeal.

Mr Justice John Edwards said the court would remand McArdle on continuing bail and adjourn matters until June 22, when it is anticipated a date for hearing will be set.