Belgian police have issued a European arrest warrant for a man by the name of John Kinsella, wanted for questioning in connection with an alleged plot to smuggle drugs worth €10 million through Weston aerodrome, Co Kildare, this week.
Mr Justice Barry White was told in the High Court yesterday that Mr Kinsella was already in custody, assisting gardaí in Dublin with their inquiries.
Judge White heard that the warrant did not contain a nationality, address or date of birth for the wanted man, only a Christian name and surname.
The judge endorsed the European arrest warrant, which means that in the event of Mr Kinsella being released without charge by gardaí, he would be automatically returned before the High Court for consideration and determination of the Belgian authorities' request for his extradition.
An application by counsel for the State for a court order directing that there should be no publicity regarding the High Court's acceptance of the warrant was overruled by Judge White, who said he had no power to make such an order.