McAliskey case books handed over

German authorities yesterday succeeded in getting a Belfast court to hand over books allegedly belonging to Ms Roisin McAliskey…

German authorities yesterday succeeded in getting a Belfast court to hand over books allegedly belonging to Ms Roisin McAliskey whom they suspect of involvement in a mortar-bombing of Osnabrück British Army base last year.

Next month the Germans will again apply to the High Court in London for the extradition of the 25-year-old Co Tyrone woman who was freed on bail in May following the birth of her daughter, providing she remains in Whittington Hospital in London.

The Secretary of State, Dr Mo Mowlan, "nominated" Belfast Crown Court to hear the special application under Section 4.2 of the 1990 Criminal Justice Co-operation Act following two requests from German authorities in November last year and May this year.

The Germans want to examine two notebooks, a 1995 diary and an application form allegedly containing the handwriting of Ms McAliskey.

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Despite objections from Ms McAliskey's solicitor, Mr Barra McCrory, that at least one of the notebooks not be handed over, Mr Justice Campbell ruled they be given to the Secretary of State for forwarding to the German Federal Republic's Prosecutor General.

Ordering that a transcript of yesterday's hearing also be handed over, Mr Justice Campbell said the court's discretion was limited in the matter.