Northern Ireland

Omagh bombing suspect Liam Campbell extradited to Lithuania

Liam Campbell was handed over to Lithuanian authorities at Dublin Airport on Tuesday
Liam Campbell was handed over to Lithuanian authorities at Dublin Airport on Tuesday Liam Campbell was handed over to Lithuanian authorities at Dublin Airport on Tuesday

A MAN found civilly liable for the Omagh bombing in 1998 has been extradited to Lithuania to face weapons charges.

Liam Campbell, of Upper Faughart in Co Louth, was handed over to Lithuanian authorities at Dublin Airport, and was expected to be charged upon his arrival last night in the country's capital Vilnius.

The 59-year-old was arrested on Monday night by Gardaí, and signalled the end of an extradition process lasting more than a decade.

He had previously been arrested in December 2016 following a second European Arrest Warrant issued by the Lithuanian authorities.

During a previous attempt to extradite him, Mr Campbell spent four years in prison in the north before he was released after objecting and claiming the extradition would breach his rights.

It is alleged Mr Campbell organised the preparation for firearms to be smuggled in support of the Real IRA between the end of 2006 and early 2007.

The arrest warrant also alleges preparation of a crime and terrorism offences.

It states Mr Campbell "made arrangements, while acting in an organised terrorist group, the Real Irish Republican Army (RIRA) to acquire a substantial number of firearms and explosives from Lithuania and smuggle them into Ireland".

Among items the warrant alleges Mr Campbell attempted to acquire were sniper guns, automatic rifles, TNT and detonators.

He had previously appealed a High Court ruling against his extradition, as well as a Court of Appeal ruling upholding the extradition decision.

However, earlier this month a Supreme Court ruling in Dublin stated Mr Campbell's extradition could now take place, with one of the hearing's five judges stating the Lithanian authorities were in a position to charge him.

A Garda spokesperson said the force "cannot discuss named individuals".