Questions about historic role of Gardai in Downey case, lawyers say

A 67-year-old man facing extradition to Northern Ireland on charges related to the 1972 deaths of two Ulster Defence Regiment soldiers in Enniskillen has sought leave to appeal the High Court's extradition order. The man is alleged to have been involved in a device explosion on the Irvinestown Road, Cherrymount, which killed Lance Corporal Alfred Johnston and Private James Eames on August 25, 1972. His legal counsel told the High Court this morning that the case raised significant issues, including questions surrounding how alleged critical evidence was obtained and preserved, as well as the historic role of An Garda Síochána. The defence also highlighted what it described as failures by Northern Irish authorities. The case relates to broader controversies stemming from the collapse of an earlier trial concerning the 1982 Hyde Park bombing in London, linked to government comfort letters issued to alleged republican paramilitaries. Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly reserved her decision on the appeal application.