Five-fold increase in criminals extradited

A FIVE-FOLD increase was recorded in the number of criminals and suspects Ireland extradited to other EU countries last year.

The suspects included 10 Irish nationals accused of serious crimes.

Those arrested were sent to other EU member states under the new European Arrest Warrant system.

According to an annual report from the Department of Justice, the latest Irish figures show a 500% increase in the numbers being sought under the new system.

The fast-track process was designed to leave no hiding place in Europe for those wanted for crime and terrorism offences.

However, there was criticism of some of the offences that different states — including Ireland — had sought to seek arrests. They included a person suspected of a €25 shoplifting offence, another having three ecstasy tablets, one for stealing two car tyres and a person accused of stealing a piglet.

A spokesperson for Eurojust, that helps coordinate the Arrest Warrant system, said it is one of the most powerful tools for fighting organised crime and, as such, is proving to be very successful. “But it is not designed for things like shoplifting,” he said.

Per head of population, Ireland is one of the busiest of the EU 27, requesting and receiving arrest warrants since the system came into operation in January 2004.

Last year, the Department of Justice received 127 warrants for nationals of 16 EU member states. These included 29 Irish nationals, 34 British, two Irish/British nationals, 19 Lithuanians, 17 Polish and 12 Czechs.

Sixteen were wanted for murder or attempted murder, 15 for sexual offences including rape and sexual abuse of children; five for kidnapping, four for robbery, 10 for drugs, 17 for fraud and two for terrorist offences. Of these, 31 were discovered in Ireland where they were arrested and sent to the requesting country, together with 14 on foot of warrants received the previous year bringing the total to 45 for the year. This compares with seven in 2005 and just two during the first year of the scheme in 2004.

Last year, the Irish authorities issued 43 arrest warrants for crimes including murder, sexual offences, kidnapping, drugs offences, assault, theft, fraud, forgery and arson. Most of these, 37, were to Britain while three were to the Netherlands, two to Spain and one to Belgium.

In all, 11 people were arrested in other jurisdictions and sent to Ireland to face trial.

The European Commission has criticised Ireland and Britain for taking six times longer than other EU members in processingwarrants.

The Department of Justice has defended itself saying the 90 days is indicative rather than a maximum and that they must follow the procedures laid down by the Supreme Court.