The Dutch authorities today confirmed that they have received an extradition request from Ireland in relation to 49-year-old Dubliner, John Cunningham. He is currently before the courts in the Netherlands, charged with smuggling guns and drugs. Cunningham is sought by the Irish authorities in relation to his absconding from Shelton Abbey open prison in County Wicklow in 1996 and the outstanding portion of his 17 year prison sentence for the kidnapping of Jennifer Guinness.
A Dutch public prosecutor today gave details of a multi-million pounds drugs and guns smuggling racket allegedly operated by Mr Cunningham. The prosecutor asked the Amsterdam Court to give Cunningham a 10 year prison sentence for his role in the crimes.
On the second and closing day of this trial, the Court heard details of how the smuggling ring operated. The Public Prosecutor, Frits Posthumus, told how from late 1999, during phone taps and surveillance, Dutch undercover police traced John Cunningham's contacts with a number of men in Ireland. In court the prosecutor named four regular contacts, Chris Casserly, Eamon Daly and Chris and Daniel Kinahan.
The three judges were told that investors in Ireland would use truck drivers to deliver large amounts of cash to Cunningham. He had a Dutchman, Peter Ling, convert this to guilders and the Dutch currency was then used to buy drugs and guns. In the final link, the truck drivers smuggled the shipments back to Ireland.
Officers involved in the undercover operation were in court to hear the prosecutor described Cunningham as a central figure in the smuggling rink and request a 10 year prison sentence for him. But Cunningham's lawyer questioned the legality of the police operation and contest the view that his client was the central figure in the ring.
The trial ended this afternoon and Cunningham's fate will now be decided by three judges.
