Sean Garland:

The State Prosecution Service now has until March 3rd to decide if it wishes to appeal the High Court decision not to extradite Sean Garland to the United States.

Delivering the finalised version of his adjudication Mr Justice John Edwards gave the State the statutory three week period in which to request an appeal against his decision.

Mr Justice Edwards agreed that Sean’s legal team should be awarded costs.

However, the cost of the anti-extradition campaign has to be borne by friends and supporters.

Your financial contributions are still urgently needed.

You can contribute by sending a cheque to the  ‘Defend Sean Garland Campaign’, 48 North Great Georges Street, Dublin 1

You can also make a donation to the fund through the following bank account:

‘Defend Sean Garland Fund’,
Permanent TSB, O’Connell Street, Dublin 1.

Account No:         145 352 10

Bank Sort Code :  99-06-58

Thank you.

Written decision delivered

Mr Justice John Edwards this morning gave his written adjudication on the decision not to accede to the United States application for the extradition of Sean Garland.

In December, Justice Edwards said that the court was not disposed to grant the application adding that he would provide details of his decision after the Christmas recess.

The Rev Chris Hudson MBE, Chair of the ‘Stop the Extradition Campaign’ said “The court has already rejected the application by the United States Department of Justice and today’s written ruling outlines the legal arguments for that decision”.

Sean and his legal team will now read thoroughly the adjudication before any further comment.

Details of the written decision will be posted here as soon as they are available.

Click here for Campaign media statement 

High Court

The full written judgement in Sean’s case, expected  on Thursday 19 January, will not now  be delivered  until Friday 27th .

The written adjudication had originally been due to be presented on Friday 13 January.

Mr Justice John Edwards announced on 21 December that he was not going to accede to the United States extradition demand.

See below for details.

Sean Garland and Rev Chris Hudson being interviewed outside the court

Extradition Victory

The High Court in Dublin this morning dismissed the United States Government application for the extradition of Sean Garland after an epic legal battle covering the past six years. Full written judgement is to be delivered in the new year.

Todays decision removes some of that pressure from Sean and his family but does not see the end of the U.S government‟s attempts to extradite him. US law enforcement agencies will attempt to pursue the extradition warrant should Sean leave the jurisdiction of the Republic of Ireland.

Delighted and relieved

The Rev Chris Hudson MBE, Chair of the ‘Stop the Extradition Campaign’ said he was delighted and relieved‟ at the judgment.

“This has been a horrendous six year ordeal for Sean, his family and friends”, said Rev Hudson, “and I am delighted with the progress we have made today”.

“I have always believed that the US extradition demand was a vindictive act by the former Bush administration designed to punish and isolate North Korea and anyone who had connections with the country “

“On behalf of the ‘Stop the Extradition’ Committee I would like to thank Sean‟s legal team, the many thousands of people from all walks of life who supported the campaign including more than 120 parliamentarians from the Dail, Seanad, the NI Assembly, councils and councillors from throughout the country as well as Westminster MPs, members of the British House of Lords and Members of the European Parliament.

“We have also greatly appreciated the support and endorsement of our campaign by the trade union movement and especially by Jack O‟Connor SIPTU General President, Jimmy Kelly Regional Secretary of UNITE and Eamon Devoy TEEU General Secretary”, Rev Hudson said.

“Although this morning‟s decision is to be welcomed it does not mark the end of this campaign,” warned Rev Hudson. “We must now re-double our efforts to have this extradition warrant withdrawn completely by the United States to allow Sean Garland and his family the right to travel at will outside of Ireland without fear of arrest and detention”, he said.

Sean Garland: six year legal battle

Court decision expected on Wednesday

A decision on whether or not the United States extradition demand against Sean Garland will be granted is now expected to be delivered on Wednesday 21 December in Dublin’s High Court.

Sean was first arrested in 2005 as he attended a Workers Party conference in Belfast. Since then he has had to contend with a prolonged legal battle while being subjected to draconian and unprecedented bail conditions.

High Court

The High Court has further adjourned Sean’s case until just before Christmas.

The extradition hearing  concluded on 28 July  with 5 October set as the date for an announcement on when a decision might be announced.  A further hearing date was  then set for November 16.

Today the judge announced that he now hopes to deliver his judgement in five weeks time on Wednesday 21 December

Tommy Sands

Internationally renowned singer songwriter Tommy Sands headlined a campaign fundraising concert in Dundalk at the  weekend.

Organised by the Louth Committee to Stop the Extradition of Sean Garland  the evening was planned to raise funds for Sean’s campaign.

Tommy was supported  on the night by Briege Murphy and a number of local traditional musicians.

Thanks to everyone who attended!

Other ways you can contribute to the campaign:

Sean has been denied  legal aid to present his case. The campaign depends on the generosity of individuals doing what they can and contributing what they can afford.

Thank you to the many hundreds of  people who  have donated  and to those who have helped the campaign in what ever way they could so far.

Your financial contributions are still urgently needed.

You can contribute by sending a cheque to the

‘Defend Sean Garland Campaign’, 48 North Great Georges Street, Dublin 1

You can also make a donation to the fund through the following bank account:

‘Defend Sean Garland Fund’,
Permanent TSB, O’Connell Street, Dublin 1.

Account No:         145 352 10

Bank Sort Code :  99-06-58

Thank you.

Sean Garland

Sean Garland, a citizen of the Irish Republic, was arrested on foot of an extradition warrant from the United States America. while on a visit to Belfast in October 2005

The US Department of Justice is  accusing Sean  of involvement in an international US dollar forgery conspiracy.

The campaign to Stop the Extradition of Sean Garland has received wide support in Ireland, Britain, Europe and throughout the world.

Read more about the US planned extradition of Sean Garland, the political context, those who are supporting the campaign and what you can do to help.

It is expected that at that point a  date will be announced when  a decision in Sean’s case will be delivered.

He has been remanded on continuing bail until the court reconvenes next month.

It is now six years since Sean was first arrested.

Dail Eireann

Sean Garland has received the support of over 100 members of the Oireachteas  (National Parliament)  in his fight to end a US attempt to extradite him over claims that he was part of a dollar forgery plot.

Among those who have joined the campaign to end the pursuit of the 76 year old  socialist are Richard Boyd Barrett, Phil Hogan, Finian  McGrath, Joanna Tuffy, Timmy Doleey, Martin Ferris, John Halligan and  Joe Higgins.

Trade Union leaders Jack O’Connor (SIPTU), Jimmy Kelly (UNITE) and Eamon Devoy  (TEEU) are also backing the campaign.