Sinn Fein chief's brother to fight abuse case extradition

Published on Wednesday 10 March 2010 19:00

THE brother of Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams is expected to lodge grounds to challenge his extradition on sex abuse charges within weeks, a court has heard.

Liam Adams was remanded on continuing bail after a brief appearance yesterday at Dublin's High Court, where the case was listed again for 21 April.

The 54-year-old is wanted in Northern Ireland to answer 18 charges of sexual abuse including rape, indecent assault and gross indecency against his daughter.

Adams, who last week handed himself over to Irish authorities after a European Arrest Warrant was served, is planning to fight the extradition.

The alleged offences against his daughter Aine Tyrell – who waived her right to anonymity last December – date from March 1977 to March 1983.

A clean-shaven Adams sat at the back of the courtroom in a dark suit with his other daughter, Claire Smith, and her husband during the hearing.

He has already denied he fled Northern Ireland a year ago to escape prosecution but claims he feared he and his children were in danger after media reports of the allegations. He also maintains he will not get a fair trial.

Adams' barrister Caroline Cummins applied for an adjournment until Wednesday 21 April, when she said points of objection are expected to be lodged.

The judge granted Adams continuing bail.

Adams, who is unemployed and living in rented accommodation, left the Criminal Courts of Justice supported by his daughter – who last week guaranteed his bail with a bond of 7,500 (6,830).