The extradition of former Irish Olympic swimming team coach George Gibney from the United States to the Republic is imminent. He was due to appear in court in Dublin as early as Tuesday, The Irish Times understands.
Sources stressed the precise timing of the extradition and the court appearance could change. However, according to plans in place late on Monday night, it was expected Mr Gibney would appear before a Dublin court on Tuesday, or very shortly thereafter.
Garda members have already travelled to the US as part of the plan to bring him back to the Republic. That operation was being run by Garda Extradition Unit, which is part of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
Mr Gibney had been held in custody in Florida, where he has lived for years, since his arrest there last month on foot of an extradition request from the Irish authorities after being charged with 79 sexual offences. The fact the DPP had approved charges over two years ago was a closely guarded secret that only emerged when he was arrested last month.
RM Block
The extradition request was sent last October by the authorities in Ireland to American law enforcement, via the Irish embassy in Washington. Mr Gibney, who settled in the US in 1995, was arrested in Florida on July 1st by US Marshalls and has remained in custody pending the extradition process.
Ten days ago he withdrew his request for a detention hearing in Florida and also consented to being extradited to the Republic, clearing the way for his return to face the charges in Ireland.
The extradition process involves Garda members accompanying him on a flight from the US to Dublin. He was due to be arrested by gardaí on arrival in Dublin, probably on Tuesday morning, and taken to court for his first appearance.
