A decision by police in England on whether they will charge a 17-year-old Galway youth for offences for which he was arrested in London last week will determine when he can be returned to Ireland to stand trial on serious charges.
The Irish charges arise from a fatal crash in Co Clare in 2003 which claimed two young lives.
The youth, who will be 18 in October, has been on the run from gardaí since absconding while on bail in January last year, but was arrested in London last week.
He is alleged to have been driving a car at Moyarta, near Carrigaholt, west Clare, on October 17th, 2003, when it went out of control and struck a wall instantly killing two schoolgirls and seriously injuring a brother of one of the victims.
The youth, who was 15 at the time of the crash, faces three charges including one of dangerous driving causing the death of Stacey Haugh ( 16) and Lorna O'Mahony (13), both from Kilkee, contrary to Section 53 (1) of the Road Traffic Act.
The teenager is also accused of driving without insurance and of driving without a driving licence.
Gardaí in Kilrush confirmed last week that they were notified by police in London that the youth was in custody there, and that they were still awaiting confirmation of when he could be extradited to Ireland to face charges.
Gardaí are, however, ready to initiate extradition proceedings as soon as they receive confirmation that the way has been cleared to do so.
One Garda source said: "It all depends on how serious the charges he faces in England are.
"If they are petty enough the police might be instructed not to pursue them and allow the accused to be returned to Ireland to faces charges here."
A bench warrant for the youth's arrest was issued in the District Court when he failed to show for a court appearance in February 2004.