Legal question over republican "on-the-run" letters in Downey extradition is finalised

A Dublin High Court judge has finalised the legal framework permitting John Downey to pursue an appeal against his extradition to Northern Ireland on charges arising from a 1972 bombing in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh. Mr Justice Aileen Donnelly rejected multiple objections to his surrender but granted leave to appeal, determining that the case raises questions of exceptional public importance. The core issue…