High Court hears Duffy now in UK jail
The case of an Armagh man, wanted by the British Authorities for a fatal shooting in Derby 18 years ago, was adjourned today after the High Court heard the man being sought for surrender had been transferred to a UK prison.
Declan Duffy (aged 36), a father of two, originally from Armagh but with an address at Hanover St West, Dublin is now in custody in Britain where he is serving the remainder of a sentence imposed on him by an Irish court for a separate matter.
In a European Arrest warrant seeking Mr Duffy's surrender, the UK authorities claim he, on the afternoon of April 13, 1992, murdered Sergeant Michael Newman, a 34-year-old father-of-one in Derby, England.
Mr Duffy is also charged with conspiracy to commit murder on dates between January 1, 1992 and April 13, 1992.
Sgt Michael Newman, a British Army recruitment officer, was shot in the head outside an Army careers office where he worked. He died from his wounds the following day.
The Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) later claimed responsibility for the killing.
Previously, the High Court heard that Mr Duffy was willing to go to the UK if an arrangement could be made that would allow him be transferred to a British prison to serve out the remainder of his Irish sentence there.
Today, Mr Remy Farrell BL confirmed to the High Court, Mr Justice Michael Peart presiding, that this transfer had taken place.
Both the Irish and the British authorities were obliged to give their consent in order for the transfer to happen.
Mr Duffy is due to complete the sentence he is currently serving in July 2011.
The judge adjourned the matter for two weeks to allow for instructions to be taken on the future of the extradition proceedings.
