THE HIGH Court has made an order on consent for the extradition to the UK of a convicted murderer, who was recently released from prison here after serving a sentence for rape of a young female tourist.
Mark Trayton Smith (47), a native of Cheltenham, England yesterday consented to the making of an order for his return to the UK where he is wanted for breaching the conditions of a licence for his early release from a British prison, having served some 13 years of a life sentence imposed for murder.
Mr Justice Michael Peart said he was satisfied to make the order for Trayton Smith’s surrender to the authorities in the UK. Trayton Smith, a former bank worker, was convicted at Swansea Crown Court in 1983 of murdering Albert Richards at Burry Port, Dyfed in Wales, on August 31st, 1982. Mr Richards, who worked with Trayton Smith at a bank in the town, was the victim of an unprovoked knife attack.
Yesterday, Giollaiosa Ó Lideadha SC, for the defendant, said his client was consenting to his extradition being made.
Patrick McGrath, for the DPP, said Trayton Smith was released from prison in the UK in 1995 on licence under certain conditions. It was claimed in 1998 that he failed to comply with the conditions and his licence was revoked.
An order was made for him to return to prison and serve the remainder of his sentence, counsel said. However, he absconded and came to Ireland. A warrant for his arrest was issued in July 2000.
Trayton Smith was subsequently convicted at the Central Criminal Court in July 2000 for the rape of a 21-year-old English tourist at Nimmo’s Pier in Galway city on June 5th, 1999.
Mr Justice Brian McCracken imposed a 12-year prison sentence on Trayton Smith, who was arrested last month shortly after his release from prison.