Tight security for IRA man’s court appearance

Press, 1 December 1987, Page 10

Tight security for IRA man’s court appearance

NZPA-Reuter Dublin An escaped Irish Republican Army prisoner at the centre of an AngloIrish extradition mixup failed in a court attempt on Sunday to win his release from custody Paul Kane, aged 32, appeared in court amid tight security and was remanded in custody. His lawyers said he was being illegally held and the Judge adjourned the case to hear evidence from the police. Armed soldiers

patrolled the courthouse corridors during his appearance as more than 100 supporters of Sinn Fein, the political wing of the IRA, protested outside.

Kane was one of the first big catches in a dragnet last week by British and Irish security forces hunting mainly for IRA arms. He has been sought by British authorities since he escaped from Northern Ireland’s top security Maze Prison in a mass breakout four years ago.

Kane was- first arrested by the Irish police last Monday, but by the time an extradition warrant was issued on Wednesday Irish police released him because he had already been held for the maximum 48 hours allowed under Irish anti-terrorist laws. He; was later arrested again and held for assault after a high-speed car chase. The police chased when he drove away from his lawyer’s office With a Sinn Fein leader, Gerry Adams.