Man sought for Guerin murder in good shape, says lawyer

Mr Brian Meehan, the Dublin man in a Dutch jail facing a charge of murdering the journalist, Veronica Guerin, is "in good shape…

Mr Brian Meehan, the Dublin man in a Dutch jail facing a charge of murdering the journalist, Veronica Guerin, is "in good shape" and believes "everything will go right", his lawyer said.

Mr Meehan, who was arrested in Amsterdam last Friday, is in custody while gardai seek his extradition to this State to face the murder charge.

Mr Meehan was visited in prison yesterday by his lawyer, Mr Alexander van der Waal. "At the moment, he doesn't want to make any statements," Mr van der Waal said. "He's in good shape and he has all the trust that everything will go right. He feels fine. He's not a desperate man."

Mr van der Waal said the question of guilt or innocence had not arisen during the hearing earlier this week, at which an examining magistrate extended his detention period. All the proceedings so far had been concerned with the extradition request.

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Mr Meehan (32), from Crumlin, is resisting the extradition, sought by the Lucan-based Garda team investigating the murder of Ms Guerin last year. He has refused to return voluntarily to Dublin. Under Dutch law, the Irish authorities have about two weeks to make a formal request for his extradition. If the request is in order, a hearing will be held before a panel of three judges. If they agree to extradition, they will refer their judgment to the Dutch justice ministry, which makes the final decision.

Mr Meehan faces up to 20 further charges in relation to serious crimes, which are currently being prepared by the Garda and the Director of Public Prosecutions.