Minister Ahern publishes European Arrest Warrant Annual Report 2008

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr Dermot Ahern, TD, has today published the Annual Report for 2008 on the operation of the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003. The European Arrest Warrant provides for a speedy extradition process within the European Union.

The Minister noted that 73 persons were surrendered to other Member States of the European Union during 2008. The majority of people surrendered went to the UK (32) followed by Poland (17) and the Czech Republic (7). Ireland received 198 European Arrest Warrants in 2008 and offences cited included murder, rape, drugs trafficking and assault/robbery.

Minister Ahern said: "The European Arrest Warrant is a real success in terms of improving law enforcement across the EU. The EAW ensures that persons wanted to stand trial in one Member State cannot evade justice by moving to another state."

Since the Act came into operation on 1 January 2004, up to 31 December 2008, 194 persons in total were surrendered by Ireland and 87 persons have been surrendered by other Member States to Ireland.  

A number of important amendments to the Act were made by Part 2 of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 which the Minister signed into force last week The new provisions will enhance the operation of the European arrest warrant system while at the same time safeguarding the rights of persons whose surrender is sought on foot of European arrest warrants.

A new provision on the transmission of documents allows for the use of modern means of communication, including email. Another new provision allows for the taking of identification material – fingerprints, palm prints and photographs - of persons arrested under the Act to assist in establishing their identity.

Other new provisions address issues which have arisen in the operation of the Act and  ensure that the Act continues to be effective in enabling Ireland to discharge its responsibilities under the European arrest warrant system.

The Report is available on the Department's website - www.justice.ie.

31 August 2009