Fugitives have 'no legitimate expectation of permanent immunity', court finds in upholding extradition over 1975 murder of RUC officer

The Court of Appeal has upheld extradition orders against two men wanted in Northern Ireland for offences connected to the 1975 murder of an RUC officer. John Edward McNicholl, aged 73, of Newmills, Letterkenny, County Donegal, and Seamus Christopher O'Kane, aged 74, of Scalestown, County Meath, face charges arising from the investigation into Constable Robert John McPherson's death on 26 July 1975 in County Derry. McNicholl is charged with murder and attempted murder; O'Kane faces firearms possession charges. Both men escaped from the Maze Prison in May 1976 before trial. The three-judge court rejected arguments that the lengthy delay in seeking warrants constituted abuse of process, finding that fugitives living ordinary lives hold no expectation of permanent immunity. A stay on extradition has been granted to permit the men to seek Supreme Court review of the decision.