THE latest bail application by Ms Roisin McAliskey, who is seven months pregnant and awaiting extradition proceedings to Germany, was adjourned at the High Court, London, yesterday after the judge requested more medical evidence relating to her health.
Mr Justice Mitchell, who heard the application in chambers, adjourned the hearing until Friday. It is understood that Mr Michael Mansfield QC, representing Ms McAliskey, argued that she should be released on bail because of complications in her pregnancy and general poor health.
Last week, the British Prison Service downgraded Ms McAliskey's security classification from Category A high risk to Category A standard risk, which means she will no longer be strip-searched after prison visits.
Extradition proceedings against Ms McAliskey (25), were due to begin today when a date for the case was expected to be set. However, the hearing has been postponed because of this new bail application and Ms McAliskey's appeal to the House of Lords to rule her extradition unlawful. Instead she will again be formally remanded to Holloway Prison, north London.
The British Prison Service is expected to inform Ms McAliskey on Thursday whether she will be able to keep her child with her in prison following a panel meeting of social workers, prison officials and child care experts.
A British Prison Service spokesman also denied reports that Ms McAliskey would have to wear "closeting chains" on her ankles in hospital after giving birth, although he conceded that she may be handcuffed in the prison van to and from hospital.
Ms McAliskey, from Coalisland, Co Tyrone, is the eldest daughter of the former Mid-Ulster MP, Ms Bernadette McAliskey. She is wanted by the German authorities in connection with the IRA mortar bombing of a British army base at Osnabruck last June. No one was injured in the attack.