A SINN FEIN spokesman expressed disappointment and anger at the extradition from the US of Maze escaper Jimmy Smyth, who was back in prison in the North last night after being flown from the US.
Smyth (42), who was arrested in San Francisco four years ago and last month finally lost a long legal battle against extradition, was flown from the US to Heathrow Airport in London at the weekend. He was handed over to RUC officers and immediately flown to Belfast International Airport, then driven the 12 miles to Maghaberry Prison outside Belfast under tight security.
Smyth had served five years of a 20-year sentence for the attempted murder of an off-duty prison officer when he escaped from the Maze along with 37 others in 1983. He was one of several IRA Maze escapers who made their way to the US, but was traced to San Francisco and arrested there on passport violations in 1992.
A Federal court initially barred his extradition, but the decision was reversed on appeal. He then appealed to the US Supreme Court, but in June the court denied a review of his case, and last month a Federal judge in San Francisco signed an order authorising his extradition.
He had argued that his life would be in danger if he was returned to the North, but this was rejected by the appeal court.
In a statement issued through the Irish American Unity Conference before leaving the US, Smyth said: "I leave this country full of thanks for the spirit and independence of the American people. Unfortunately, the further up the political ladder we climbed, the less the voice of the people was heard.."
"I am returning to a country I left unwillingly 12 years ago. There may be many who will seek revenge against me because I spoke the truth about Ireland."
Smyth will now face serving the remaining 15 years of his sentence. The time spent in custody in the US fighting his case will not be taken into account.
Sinn Fein's spokesman on prison issues, Mr Joe Austin, likened the case to that of another extraditee, Joe Docherty. He spent 10 years in prison in the US, but the British authorities have refused to accept that time should be considered part of his sentence.
Mr Sammy Wilson of the DUP said that the US administration deserved no congratulations for returning a wanted IRA terrorist, but should be explaining why it took so long.
Two other Maze escapers are still fighting extradition from the US.