THE Northern Ireland Secretary, Sir Patrick Mayhew, is considering whether to apply for the extradition from Ireland of Dermot McNally, a convicted IRA terrorist who escaped from the Maze Prison in 1983, despite the private reluctance of the British Attorney General, Sir Nicholas Lyell.
The Northern Ireland Office confirmed yesterday that Sir Patrick is considering whether to apply for McNally's extradition. A spokeswoman said a decision on the application "has not been taken" and refused to comment on the Attorney General's alleged reservations. Any opposition from his office "would be a matter for them, but his views would be taken into consideration", the spokeswoman added.
It is understood the Attorney General is arguing privately that an Irish Supreme Court ruling in 1990, in which two other escapers from the Maze Prison successfully argued against extradition because their safety could not be guaranteed in British prisons, has set a legal precedent that would prove difficult to challenge.
The British Attorney General's office said last night that a discussion concerning the possible application for McNally's extradition "is not something that we want to get into". A spokeswoman said that if an application for McNally's extradition were prepared, "it would be a matter for the Northern Ireland Office".