A MAN facing trial in England on charges of serious assault and conspiracy to supply heroin to vulnerable heroin addicts has lost a 10- year legal battle to prevent his extradition.
The Supreme Court yesterday dismissed the final appeal by Robert Lloyd Heywood, a British national with an address in Dundalk and the father of three children by two women here, against an order for his extradition.
The West Mercia police say Mr Heywood conspired with four others in 1995 and 1996 to supply heroin. It is claimed the alleged conspirators targeted vulnerable heroin addicts to sell drugs to them and used threats and violence.
Mr Heywood denies he was ever questioned or charged with such offences and claims he was assaulted by the West Mercia police.
He came to Ireland in 1997. In January 1998, the West Mercia police learned he was living here and issued warrants for his arrest in October 1998. He was arrested in January 1999.
A lengthy and complex legal battle followed, including the issuing of another set of warrants and several proceedings in the High and Supreme Courts, including when the courts found Mr Heywood had been unlawfully detained for two short periods.
He spent about three years in custody after his arrest in early 1999 and was released on bail for the first time in April 2006.
