Tony Gregory
Ceist:72 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice if she will seek the extradition of three persons recently discharged by the courts having been charged with cruelty to animals and who have since returned to Britain. [15690/95]
Written Answers. - Extradition Proceedings.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that inquiries into this matter are continuing.
Under the United Kingdom law which governs extradition from the United Kingdom to Ireland, a warrant issued by the judicial authority in this jurisdiction may only be endorsed by the appropriate authorities in that jurisdiction if the warrant is in respect of an indictable offence or an offence punishable on summary conviction with imprisonment for six months under the laws of this State.
I am advised that, as the maximum punishment on conviction for a first or second offence under section 1 of the Protection of Animals Act, 1911, as amended by the Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act, 1965, and the Control of Dogs Act, 1986, is three months imprisonment and-or a fine of £500, an application for extradition in the case referred to by the Deputy could not be made under this section.