Criminals Lose Haven

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30831, 17 August 1965, Page 15

Criminals Lose Haven

(N Z.P.A.- Reuter—Copyright)

DUBLIN (Eire), August 15.

Eire—haven for Britain’s wanted criminals—will shut its doors on fugitives from the Queen’s justice tomorrow.

Under an extradition treaty coming into force at midnight, police will begin rounding up an estimated 70 previously-

untouchable men wanted in Britain. Some of them have been living in tramps’ shelters and seamen’s homes. Others, according to police, have “turned over a new leaf,” married and gone respectable. “We feel the British police may make allowances for this,” one police official said. No Big Names

No big names of the underworld are expected to be uncovered. Neither Charles Wilson or Ronald Biggs—the two escapers from gaoled members of the £2,500,000 great train robbery gang—is thought to be in Eire. Most of the men on the wanted files are petty thieves, wife-beaters and runaway husbands. Among the first likely to be rounded up are 11 solicitors from Northern Ireland accused of fleeing across the border with their clients’ money.

Best known of the runaways who have found sanctuary in Eire in recent years was Britain’s ace gaol-breaker, Alfred Hinds. He lay low here after two of his three sensational escapes, once for nearly two years. Later he proved his innocence. Rumours Rife

Rumours are rife, as the fugitives’ paradise prepared to sweep out its dark corners. One tale, that a criminal had left aboard a Russian ship, remains officially unconfirmed. Another, that a luxury yacht lies offshore near Baltimore, County Cork, ready to take off a load of villians tomorrow.

is thought by police to be the product of Irish whimsy. The only consolation for the wanted men is that before the complicated legal procedure takes effect, they can maintain their innocence, appeal to higher Courts, and delay for a further few months their final return to British police.