Brian Meehan gave his father the thumbs-up as he walked into court yesterday afternoon. Kevin Meehan was upstairs in the public gallery behind reinforced glass with a young woman, believed to be another relative. A few seats away, also in the public gallery, the man in charge of the Veronica Guerin investigation, Assistant Commissioner Tony Hickey, two colleagues and a Dutch police chief watched the proceedings intently.
Meehan wore a blue shirt, black sleeveless jumper, black trousers and black shoes with large metal buckles. He was clean-shaven and had a neat haircut. A translator at his right shoulder interpreted the proceedings.
The Dutch court officials struggled at times with pronunciation of words like Clondalkin. Only once did Meehan correct them. "Guerin," he said clearly, correcting his translator on his pronunciation.
High security surrounded the hearing. A metal detector was used and everyone entering the court was searched. Journalists were asked to produce press cards.
As the judge outlined the charge Mr Meehan sat with arms folded, showing no emotion. He scratched his neck after the words "Six shots were fired at her".
Asked if he was also known as The Tosser Mr Meehan said: "The first I heard was from the newspapers. Journalists call me The Tosser."
The judge said Mr Meehan's lawyer had a large number of newspaper clippings in which he was referred to as The Tosser. "Newspapers refer to me as The Tosser. They gave me the name," he said.
Mr Meehan's lawyer had a two-inch dossier of newspaper clippings, labelled with dozens of pink stickers, to which he referred during his long submission.
As the state prosecutor argued that there was no reason Mr Meehan should not be extradited, he sat calmly. He rested one hand on the other, occasionally playing with a ring on his right finger and glancing at the press benches.
Halfway through the proceedings a rhythmic beating started from the holding cells under the courtroom. The judge remarked that there must be a musical suspect downstairs.
After the judges left to consider the requests, Mr Meehan and his father exchanged signs. Kevin Meehan appeared to be asking his son if he needed money. Mr Meehan signed that he would write to them, smiling all the time and laughing at times. He gave his father and the young woman another thumbs-up.
Before he left the court for the holding cell he used another hand signal, leaving his family in no doubt what he thought of the gardai sitting near them.
