THERE were "substantial reasons why Ms Roisin McAliskey should not be granted bail while awaiting extradition to Germany, a London magistrate has said.
Refusing a third bail application yesterday, Mr Peter Badge, the stipendiary magistrate at Bow Street Magistrates' Court said that because of the "extreme gravity" of the charges against her and the fact that she had no "settled ties" in England meant she might abscond if granted bail.
The German authorities allege that Ms McAliskey (25), a community worker from Coalisland Co Tyrone, and a daughter of Ms Bernadette McAliskey, former Mid Ulster MP, was part of a five member IRA gang which fired three mortar bombs at the British army barracks in Osnabruck in June.
Ms McAliskey, who is five months pregnant, was remanded in custody at Holloway Prison, north London, until December 27th, by which date it is expected the British Home Secretary, Mr Michael Howard, will have processed the necessary extradition papers. If extradition is granted Ms McAliskey will face charges of attempted murder.
Requesting bail her solicitor, Ms Gareth Peirce, said her client's medical treatment at Holloway prison had improved but pointed out that "every millimetre of this care has had to be fought for".
Ms Wiseman, for the German government, told the court it would be the IRA's "particular wish for her not to stand trial in Germany and her disappearance would have the whole backing of this organisation".
. The third refusal to grant Ms McAliskey bail was "a calculated act of cruelty and vindictiveness which will shock and outrage the, international community", the Roisin McAliskey Justice Group said in a statement yesterday.