Extradition to Ireland OK'd
-
- February
- 22
The letters and phone calls to spare Joe Byrne of Pearl River from extradition apparently did not help. A friend of the Byrnes reports that Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice signed the extradition order from Ireland yesterday. Joe Byrne will be asked to turn himself in on or before Feb. 29.
Byrne is wanted in connection with a burglary charge in 1996 and a robbery charge in 1997, both in his native Ireland. His wife, friends and the local Irish community have fought to keep him in the US. They fear he won’t be able to get back in the country after he faces trial because he is not a citizen, though he has a green card.
Here is the story that ran about his case and the community’s efforts to stop the extradition.
This entry was posted
on Friday, February 22nd, 2008 at 10:53 am by Hannan Adely.
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I FEEL IT IS WRONG WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE BYRNE FAMILY. I PERSONALLY KNOW THE FAMILY & STAND BY JOE BYRNES SIDE. YES THIS CRIME HAPPENED IN IRELAND BUT NO JOE DID NOT FLEE THE COUNTRY, HE WAS IN THE COUNTRY AND IF HE WAS FOUND GUILTY THEN 12 YEARS AGO WHY DIDN'T THE GUARDES COME FOR HIM THEN. AS I READ THESE RIDICOULOUS COMMENTS SOME PEOPLE MAKE, EAMPLE, MS. FRANCES DUFFY PUBLISHED LAST WEEK IN THE PAPER "OUR TOWN" TITLE WAS: APPLES AND ORANGES… MS. DUFFY HAS NO CLUE IN THE WORLD WHAT THE CRIME IS ABOUT. WHAT AN IDIOT TO PUBLISH SUCH A STUPID THING, AND TO BE OFFERED TO COME AND VISIT & DECLINE. WAS SHE AFRAID TO SEE THE TRUTH. IT IS RIDICOULOUS WHAT THIS FAMILY IS GOING THRU. PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE NOT IN SUPPORT SHOULD JUST LET IT REST, THEY WOULD NOT WANT IT DONE TO THEM. THANK GOD THE BYRNE FAMILY IS BLESSED WITH KIND AND SUPPORTIVE FRIENDS AND FAMILY. PEOPLE WHO DON'T EVEN KNOW THE FAMILY HAVE COME FORWARD WITH SUPPORT AND I CAN TELL YOU THEY ARE MUCH APPRECIATIVE. THAT TELLS YOU ENOUGH OF THE STORY. IT IS EVIDENT THAT THERE IS SOME IDIOT IN THAT BACKWARDS COUNTRY THAT THEY ARE AFTER HIM FOR SOMETHING AND WANT TO BLAME HIM. THEY NEED TO TARGET THE OTHER MEN THAT MR. JOE BYRNES WAS FRIENDS WITH AT THAT TIME. UNFORTUNETLY MR.BYRNES WAS IN THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME WITH THE WRONG PEOPLE. HE HAS NOW ESTABLISHED A LIFE IN THIS NORMAL COUNTRY, WITH GREAT FRIENDS WHO SUPPORT HIM AND WE PRAY THAT HE WILL WIN THIS OVER THERE. THE BYRNES FAMILY HAS NOT LYED NOR HAVE HID ANYTHING, I GUESS IF THEY LYED ON THEIR PAPERWORK THEY WOULD HAVE NOTHING LIKE THIS HAPPENING TO THEM. TELLING THE TRUTH ABOUT YOUR PAST IS NOT WORTH IT, LOOK WHERE IT GOT MR. BYRNES! I HOPE HIS WIFE,EILEEN AND HIS LOVELY DAUGHTER,MARIED WILL GET THRU THIS TERRIBLE TRAUMA THAT IRELAND IS PUTTING THEM THRU. PLEASE CONT. 2 PRAY 4 THEM & MR.JOE BYRNES WILL BE WAITING 4 YOU ON THIS AMERICAN SOIL. WE NEED OUR HOMES DONE AND ONLY JOE CAN DO THAT TILING. SO JOE, "SAY WHAT YOU HAVE TO IN IRELAND & GET OUT OF THEIR QUICK, DON'T LOOK BACK—AND GET BACK 2 US, WE WANT U HERE IN THE U.S."
ALL MY LOVE XOXOX
MARY DOLPHIN
NEW CITY / PEARL RIVER
My only question is – considering he is innocent until proven guilty – why didn't he go back to straighten this out? I understand that he didn't know this was a pending situation until he was arrested. But why hasn't he addressed the problem since then? It seems that all he (and his supporters) have done is fight the extradition tooth and nail, getting Engel involved; petitions to Rice, etc. Seems like a great deal of effort to avoid talking to the police. Am I the only one wondering why?
1Voter,
Maybe Mr. Byrne was not too confident if he returned to face the charges, he would be coming back immediately after trial.
People went to great lengths for Brian Pearson, also. Some violence is ok; some legal actions are ok. I am sure we wont see an outpouring of let them have rights for those being held for years in Gitmo. It all depends on whose ox is being gored.
Time will tell hopefully Mr.Byrnes will get a fair trial
To Mary Dolphin:
I take issue with two things in the comments you wrote:
1. Calling Ireland a "backwards country".
2. Stating that the police should go after the other guy he "was friends with" and not Joe Brynes.
Why is is that just because Ireland is seeking to bring a thief to justice they are backward? Why is it that they should seek to punish one criminal but not the other who was involved in the same crime?
Your emotion is clouding your judgement here. Obviously you are close to the family and it is difficult for you to watch a criminal being prosecuted for his crimes.
Imagine how the family who were robbed felt after Mr. Byrnes left their house after stealing their possessions. Hanging out "with the wrong people" does not give him an excuse for being a thief!
If he is truly remorseful and wants to put his life of crime behind him, he should pay his dues to society in Ireland and serve his sentence, whether it's a fine, community service or otherwise.
Having his neighbors write letters and make phonecalls on his behalf pleading for leniency doesn't change what he did by stealing from innocent, hard working victims.
There's no doubt in my mind, you'd be petitioning to have a criminal prosecuted that broke into the Byrnes house and stole their possessions if it happened!
There's nothing backward about that! If you break the law, you pay the price.
Bravo to the Irish police agency for finding this criminal and punishing him.
First of all, Mr. Byrne has not had his trial yet in Ireland. Ramapo resident claims he is a "thief". That has not been established as of yet. There is a presumption of innocence until guilt has been proven. Please keep that in mind before jumping the gun and accusing an individual without full disclosure of all the facts. When Mr. Byrne has his trial his side of the story will come out. Everything else written here is only supposition.
Remember…In every legal situation you approach, if in the USA, you have avenues of protection and rights afforded you that no other country in the world can even conceive. I think those of us blessed with that fail to recognize the gift of our freedom is and the rights our consititution gives us! Mr. Byrnes was investigated, interrogated and let go. One should question why after more than 10 years something resurfaces??? Especially when you are not even around??? Joe was completely unaware that he was needed or wanted for additional questioning. His parents still reside in Ireland with a published address and are easy to contact. They were never made aware. It is a very unusual situation and those involved all wonder why??? Joe is not fearful of going back, his friends and family are for him! He is what most people would understand…a big teddy bear. He is a gentle giant without a malice bone in his body! he is kind, always has a smile would help you with anything you need… he is there when needed without being asked! He is hardworking, a wonderful father and husband, great friend and perhaps a little niave. He has such great faith!!! In others, God and the USA… HE is loved by those who know him! Immediately liked by those that meet him! So many who have a concern want to protect him! Plain and simple! If you don't know the situation, the facts or the man, don't assume to be knowledgeable and use this as your soap box….
Irish Proud
Then we can assume you support sending Mr. Byrne back to Ireland to stand trial – so he can prove his innocence. One issue is some members of the community think it's unfair that he be sent back to Ireland. Obviously, you don't. Good for you!
I DO BELIEVE it is wrong that Mr. Byrne has to be sent back to Ireland in this manner. He was never given to an opportunity to go back prior to being extradited and that was wrong. There are many facets to his case that give us concern that he won't have a fair trial. However, time will tell and there will be many eyes watching Ireland's procedures to ensure they are fair.
IrishProud/Insider,
So how does Mr. Byrne prove his innocence and how does the United States satisfy its treaties with Ireland if Mr. Byrne doesn't return.
If he has nothing to worry about, then he should go and clear his name.
How do you know he won't get a fair trial or hearing? Do you have access to the evidence? (Insider does, at least one side of it)
It seems to me concerns about fair trials in this case is irrelvent. What we have here is favoritism to a friend, regardless of the facts.
I am sure you are not too concerned about fair trials, say, for those people held at Gitmo? I am sure you don't question the evidence or lack of for those people, guilty or not.
Again it comes down to whose ox is being gored. In this case, your loyalty to Mr. Byrne far outweighs any concern about his innocence or guilt. You should just admit it, though.
FYI-Why are you so concerned about me admitting what you want me to admit? I know you don't have all the facts of this case and that makes you question our motives in Mr. Byrne's case. Believe me, there is a lot more to this story that can be reported at this juncture. We will have to wait to see how it plays out in Ireland. And, yes I am concerned about him having a fair trial. Do some research into Ireland and you will uncover facts about their legal and judicial system that are mind boggling. Also, look into how the DPP-Director of Public Prosecution works. That will make you spin in your chair!
We shall all learn the facts when this case comes to trial in Ireland – if it does.
I just find it amusing that all of a suddent a democracy like Ireland has a corrupt criminal justice system. Like I said the same concern isn't being expressed about the military tribunals in Gitmo…
The truth shall set you free… maybe
Why is it "amusing" that corruption can happen in Ireland? No country is immune to it; corruption can occur anywhere. Ireland has had a long history of problems associated with the Garda Siochana, the DPP and their court system. Mr. Byrne is not the only person to have to deal with this corruption.
What I find amusing is people blaming the system as corrupt, but the person accuses is as pure as a morning snow.
Do you find the criminal justice system in the US corrupt? Many people and advocates have argued it's not justice for all and if you are of a certain race, ethnicity, political mind, and wealth, you can't get a fair trial?
Hopefully, Byrne will have a barrister (lawyer) to represent his interests…..
I don't believe the people caught up in the quagmires of a legal system would be inclined to call it "amusing". They would find that term belittling and ignorant. As I had posted earlier Mr. Byrne has not had a trial yet and his whole story has not been presented. If FYI is looking for "amusing" maybe he/she can catch some Saturday morning cartoons.
IrishProud,
You misunderstood my remarks or purposely distorted them (you a politician). Take a step back. I find amusing YOUR COMMENTS that the system is corrupt because YOU feel your buddy is being mistreated. Again, if the person wasn't your friend or relative, you wouldn't be petitioning or comment, I am sure. Again, I raised the issue of military tribunals in Gitmo – of people being held without being charged (the principle, not defending the people) and you are silent. I wrote about people who in this country feel Justice is not equal all the time based on people's race, ethnicity etc. Again, silence from you.
So, what i find AMUSING is your concern and depiction of corruption is based solely on your friendship with Mr Byrne.
I am empathetic with him – being taken from the bosum of his family and jailed, then taken across the pond to face an uncertain future. We shall see what the evidence is..
The issues I support or do not support should be no concern to you. I am also very active in fighting the Catholic Church since my brother was raped by a priest when he was nine. Has he received fair treatment? No. Has the priest been brought forward in a court of law? No. Why? Too much time has lapsed for the legal system to go after that priest. Do I defend people who have had misjustices done to them? Yes. However, this blog pertains to the Byrne family situation and that is what I respond to. Please stop making assumptions of the issues I support.
You have made accusations of corruption, yet without any proof.
Your mantra is the facts are not known to people and will come out. That tells us little of the facts.
Mr. Byrne will be returned to Ireland (something you opposed) and we shall see. The law is the law.
I haven't made assumptions. I have asked questions and you have not responded. And that is your right.
Mr. Byrne has already been returned to Ireland. My claims of corruption can be substantiated by doing research into past and current cases in Irish courts.
The question, of course, is where is the "corruption" in the case involving Mr. Byrne. He's been accuse of burglary, robbery and assault during a break-in. So he's been accused of running from the law. It's fairly straightdorward. He either was involved or he wasn't or they want someone who was
Ive known Joe for 18 years. First of all he was not charged becuase of his father who was a top man in garda siochana.They look after their own.There is no doubt that Joe done this crime .You may not like to hear this but the truth is you only know what he or his wife have told you .I know the people that were robbed. she was the daughter of the land lord.It was not just a workplace but her home and she deserves justice as so do other victims of Joe who he conveniently worked for at the time of the robberies.The past always catches up on you
Ha! Thief! Commit the crime – do the time! Hope nobody breaks into his house when he's in Ireland serving his sentence!