A MURDERER from Blackburn has been granted a stay of extradition following an appeal against a High Court judgement in Ireland.

Anthony Craig was sentenced to life in prison for killing accountant John Kirby in Corporation Park in 1973 by hitting him repeatedly with a brick.

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The convicted killer, formerly of Kendal Street, served 28 years of his sentence before escaping from prison and fleeing to Ireland, where he lived in Cork and Leitrim.

Last November a hearing at the High Court in Dublin found that Craig should be extradited back to the UK to complete his life sentence.

An appeal has now upheld that judgement, but Craig could yet appeal to the Supreme Court, and he has until June 10 to apply for leave to do so.

If that appeal is refused, or in the event of a negative determination, Craig must present himself to a garda station within 48 hours to be sent back to the UK.

In 2002 Craig walked out of HMP Sudbury in Derbyshire and failed to return.

The former labourer was arrested by Irish police in Rathcoole, South Dublin, in February 2013 and has been fighting extradition ever since.

Mr Kirkby, 32, of Whalley Road, was found in a pool of blood by a dog walker near Queen Elizabeth Grammar School on the morning of November 4, prompting a massive manhunt.

It was alleged that Mr Kirby was killed after Craig followed him to the park under the pretence they were going to have sex. Police believed Craig really wanted to rob Mr Kirby, who was gay.

After battering him to death, Craig stole just 2p.

He pleaded not guilty to murder claiming self defence but was found guilty following a six-day trial.

Craig, who had previous convictions for burglary and the possession of offensive weapons, was jailed for life. In February 1995, Craig went on the run for a month after absconding from prison in HMP Haverigg, Cumbria, to visit his sick brother, before he handed himself over to police in Manchester.

Craig appealed the initial High Court judgement on the grounds he will be subjected to immediate preventative detention on his return.

Yesterday Mr Justice Michael Peart said there was no error in principle in the decision to order the men’s surrender and their surrender to serve the balance of their sentences did not contravene the Constitution. Mr Justice Alan Mahon said he agreed with the judgment read by Mr Justice Peart.

However, in a dissenting judgment, Mr Justice Gerard Hogan, said he would allow the appeal.

After a legal discussion, Mr Justice Peart said the Court of Appeal was a constitutional court and as such a stay was put on the order to surrender until June 10.

In the event of Craig applying to the Supreme Court for leave to appeal the court’s decision, the stay will endure until the determination of that order, he said.