An Englishman wanted for questioning about the murder of a teenager in Blackpool has consented to his extradition, the Dublin District Court heard yesterday.
Mr Stewart Diamond (20), of Park Road, Blackpool, faces extradition for the murder of Christopher Hartley (17), whose headless corpse was found behind a Blackpool hotel on December 30th. Solicitor Mr Robert Eagar said his client was consenting to the extradition on condition the purpose was to bring him before court and not for interrogation by police.
Ms Clare Loftus, a State solicitor, said the Extradition Act required that Mr Diamond be brought before magistrates immediately and she argued that assurances were not required from the British authorities. Sgt Martin O'Neill gave evidence of arresting Mr Diamond at St Patrick's Institution yesterday.
Mr Diamond, also known as Stuart Wallace, had been held on a provisional warrant following his arrest in Tralee, Co Kerry, last weekend. Judge Desmond Hogan granted the extradition. The State now has 15 days to complete the handover to English police.