A former garda has been arrested in London and faces extradition to Ireland, where he is wanted for questioning about a traffic accident near Bray, Co Wicklow, in which two people were killed.
The man, who is in his early 30s and from the midlands, was interviewed by gardai following the accident on the M11 two years ago, but is understood to have left Ireland shortly afterwards. The former garda had served in the south-east and is believed to have visited the area in the last year.
He had left the force at the time of the accident.
Extradition proceedings were instituted last October. He was arrested in London last Tuesday week and brought before a court which ordered his extradition to Ireland. He is now in custody and, unless he appeals the decision to extradite him, he will be returned to the Republic next week.
A Garda spokesman confirmed that the man was wanted for questioning about the accident, which happened shortly after midnight on June 23rd, 1997.
Two young men, Mr Jason Coffey (22), from Deansgrange, and Joseph Mulcahy (17), from Bray, died after the three-car pileup. They were both in the same car. Five other people were treated for minor injuries.
Gardai investigating the accident were unable to confirm a report that the man had been living in turn in Germany, Austria, Sweden and Holland since the accident. But they confirmed that he had been detained after the crash and released after questioning.
A file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions and it is understood the Garda has received instructions as to how it should proceed.
The accident happened on the night of a Wexford-Offaly championship hurling match at Croke Park, which the former garda is understood to have attended.
