Sex offender fights extradition

John Murrell appeared at the Irish High Court in Dublin

A "most wanted" sex offender is fighting attempts to extradite him to the UK, the Irish High Court has heard.

John Murrell, 39, was arrested in the Republic of Ireland on Friday after being on the run since 2000.

He had failed to register with police following his release from prison where he was serving a jail term for indecently assaulting a child.

Lawyers for Murrell, who was last heard of in Droitwich, Worcestershire, said they would oppose his extradition.

Website appeal

Justice Michael Peart, sitting at the Irish High Court in Dublin, granted a two-week adjournment until 17 October.

Murrell was arrested after his details were placed on the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Most Wanted website.

Since his disappearance, police had tried to find him using local newspapers and an appeal broadcast on the BBC television Crimewatch programme in 2005.

He is also believed to have had connections with Belfast, Aberystwyth, Blackpool and Canada.