Gardai are preparing for the possible return to Dublin today of Mr John Gilligan, who faces a a charge of murdering journalist Veronica Guerin in 1996 and other charges relating to possession of drugs and firearms.
Mr Gilligan (47) has been fighting extradition to the Republic since he was arrested in Heathrow Airport in October 1996 when in possession of over £300,000 in cash.
This week he has been seeking a habeus corpus order to prevent his extradition. If his application fails this morning in the High Court in London, he could be handed over to gardai in London this afternoon and returned to Dublin on an Air Corps aircraft.
Earlier this week, Mr Gilligan appeared before the High Court in London in connection with an attempt to have documents relating to his case sent to him in prison in England. This was the latest in a series of legal challenges against his extradition. His case has already gone to the House of Lords and was recently returned to the High Court.
He faces a charge of murdering Ms Guerin at Clondalkin on June 26th 1996. He also faces five charges of importing cannabis; six charges of having cannabis for sale; and six charges of possessing firearms with intent to endanger life.
If he is returned to Dublin today he will be brought before the Special Criminal Court to be arraigned on the charges against him.