New Year decision for South African’s extradition

A South African man, who is fighting his extradition back to Ireland to answer charges in connection with the alleged double gun murder of two Dublin men, believes he would be “executed” if held in an Irish jail.

Neville van der Westhuizen (41) is resisting extradition, with the latest hearing taking place at Durban Regional Court in South Africa earlier this month.

Mr van der Westhuizen, who previously lived in Granard Street, Ballyjamesduff, before leaving Ireland for his native South Africa, is accused of the murder of father-of-two Eoin O'Connor (32) and Anthony Keegan (33) whose bodies were found on Inchicup Island, Co Meath, on May 26, 2014.

The men hailed from the Kilbarron estate in Coolock in north Dublin.

Their remains were found wrapped in plastic sheeting and buried in a shallow grave, and the grim discovery was made weeks after they were first reported missing by family.

The men had travelled to Cavan together, specifically to the Virginia and Ballyjamesduff areas, before disappearing. Their Ford Focus car was later found abandoned at a car park at Lough Owel. It had been parked at a Cavan Town hotel for almost two days before it was located near Mullingar.

In November Interpol, working with local police in South Africa and An Garda Síochána, tracked Mr Van der Westhuizen to a prison in his home country where he is currently serving a 15-year-sentence for a separate murder.

Legal arguments before the court included affidavits previously deposed by Inspector Micheal Dorrigan and Irish Prison Service officer William Burke attesting Mr van der Westhuizen's safety.

The magistrate's decision on Mr van der Westhuizen's extradition to Ireland has been reserved until January 10.