London trial for Dublin crime queried

Deputy leader of the Labour Party Liz McManus has described as "puzzling and disturbing" the decision not to extradite to the Republic a British doctor charged with murdering his Irish secretary in Dublin two years ago.

Homeopathist Christopher Newman (61) will go on trial in London next week for the fatal stabbing of Georgina Eager (29) in her flat in Walkinstown in May 2003.

It is said to be the first time in modern legal history that a person will be tried in a British court for a serious crime committed in Ireland.

Ms McManus, who will travel to London for the opening of the trial on Monday to support the Eager family, said they had yet to receive a proper explanation as to why the man was not extradited for trial here.

"I have heard different versions of what is going on, and I don't want to say something that will prejudice the case. But I am concerned that the family have not been fully informed of what is going on," said the Wicklow TD. "I just find the whole thing quite disturbing that an Irish family are dependent on a British court to deliver justice for a crime that was committed here."

She said she had full confidence in the British criminal justice system but "the problem I have, and the problem the family have, is with the State".

Gardaí said yesterday that the DPP had decided not to seek the extradition because English police had begun prosecuting Newman after his arrest on a public order offence in London two years ago.

Under a rarely invoked section of the Offences Against the Person Act, 1861, a British subject can be indicted for murder or manslaughter in England and Wales even when he commits the offence outside the jurisdiction.

Ms McManus said a more pressing issue for the Eager family was arranging flights and accommodation in London for the trial, which was expected to last for several weeks.

The victim's parents, George and Sylvia Eager, Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow, and two of her sisters are due to give evidence and as a result will receive trial expenses from the British courts. However, an uncle and another sister of the deceased are also travelling for the case.

Ms McManus said she had asked Minister for Justice to give the family some financial support as well as a proper explanation for the manner of the prosecution. "But the Minister has been less than helpful," she said.

A spokesman for the Minister said yesterday his department had no remit to give financial assistance to the family. A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed it would be sending an observer to the trial from its London Embassy. However, he said, "we don't have the facility to offer assistance to the family in cases like this".

Gardaí are due to fly up to 40 witnesses from Dublin for the trial, which has created logistical headaches. Ms Eager, found dead with 30 stab wounds, had worked as a receptionist at a clinic run by Newman in Walkinstown.