James Meehan: Murderer back in jail after being extradited from Republic

Meehan appeared at Craigavon Magistrates' Court on Friday

A convicted killer who was allegedly on the run for 14 months has been returned to jail after being extradited from the Republic of Ireland.

James Meehan, 54, was convicted in 2009 for the murder of Londonderry man Jim McFadden.

In 2022, while on leave from prison, Meehan left the Limavady, County Londonderry, address where he had been allowed to stay.

It is believed that he crossed the border to the Irish Republic.

Meehan, whose address was given as Maghaberry Prison, appeared before Craigavon Magistrates' Court on Friday.

District Judge Brian Archer remanded him back into custody.

He was charged with being unlawfully at large on 9 October last year and confirmed that he understood the charge.

A police officer told the court he believed he could connect the defendant to the charge.

Judge Archer adjourned the case to 15 January.

Meehan's appearance follows extradition proceedings to return him to Northern Ireland.

According to legal proceedings in the High Court in Dublin, Meehan's lawyers unsuccessfully applied for a stay on extradition proceedings.

Meehan had been freed in October 2022 and allowed to live at an address in Limavady.

However, warrants were issued for his arrest when he was found not to be there.

While Meehan's lawyers contended that he had been released on his lifelong licence, one of the warrants states that he was on temporary release.

Meehan had been handed a life sentence for the murder of Mr McFadden in 2007.

Mr McFadden was attacked after a wedding reception in County Donegal which was also attended by Meehan.

The 42-year-old died of a ruptured heart caused from blows inflicted outside his home in Shantallow in Derry.