Germany seeks to extradite woman accused of arson

Germany is seeking the extradition of a mother of one accused of committing offences including theft, fraud and arson.

Barbara Maria Herrmann (51), who appeared before the High Court today, is wanted by the authorities in Bavaria where she faces a total of 22 charges.

All of the allegations against Ms Herrmann, with an address at Meadow Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin, are alleged to have taken place in Germany between September 2008 and August 2011.

A European Extradition Warrant seeking the her surrender states she is charged with attempting to petrol bomb her brother’s property in August 2011. She is also wanted on various charges of theft and fraud.

It is alleged she has been living in Ireland since late 2011.

High Court President Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns refused Ms Herrmann's application to be released on bail pending the determination of the extradition request. That hearing is scheduled for September 13th next.

Gardaí had objected to bail being granted on the grounds that she represented a flight risk. She had been on bail following her arrest, on foot of the extradition request, in January of this year.

A warrant for her arrest was issued by the High Court after she failed to attend at a scheduled court hearing on May 16th last. On that occasion her lawyers told the court she had voluntarily gone back to Germany.

She had been required to sign on twice a week with the gardaí, but had stopped doing so on May 11th.

She was re-arrested in early July and her original bail was revoked. She has been remanded in custody at the Dóchas Centre ever since.

Ms Herrmann today asked the court to re-admit her to bail, so she could get her affairs in order. She accepted she had done wrong and asked the court to allow her the opportunity to spend some time with her daughter.

She also said the High Court had not been informed last May that she was returning to Germany because of “a misunderstanding.”

Mr Justice Kearns refused to grant her bail. The Judge said he accepted the Garda evidence that she was a flight risk. The Judge remanded her in custody till September 13th next.