THE HEARING of an extradition request for an Irishman wanted in connection with the fatal stabbing of a man in France has been adjourned until October.
London-born William Joseph O’Connor, with addresses in Waterford and Dublin, is wanted in connection with the killing of Jean-Jacques Bertelort in Calais in early November 2002.
French authorities had sought an early hearing of the extradition request for Mr O’Connor (46), who is detained in Midlands Prison, because a co-accused is facing trial in France in relation to the same charges.
Lawyers for Mr O’Connor opposed the early-hearing application, saying they needed time to deal with lawyers in Britain who represented Mr O’Connor during extradition proceedings against him when he lived in Britain but which were withdrawn in 2005.
In the High Court yesterday, Mr Justice Michael Peart agreed to put the matter back to October.
French authorities claim Mr O’Connor stabbed Mr Bertelort in Calais, after which Mr O’Connor and a British national took Mr Bertelort’s car.