IRA suspect being extradited

Michael Rogan has been detained in Tenerife

An IRA suspect wanted in connection with a fatal bomb attack on an Army base is to be extradited back to Northern Ireland.

Michael Gerard Rogan, 44, was arrested on Monday in Playa de las Americas, in Tenerife.

He agreed to be extradited when he appeared before the National Criminal Court in Madrid on Wednesday. He is expected back in the province within days.

Rogan is suspected of taking part in a bomb attack on Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn eight years ago.

One soldier, Warrant Officer James Bradwell, 43, was fatally wounded and 31 others were injured in the attack.

'On-the-runs'

Rogan, a kitchen designer from Easton Avenue in north Belfast, was charged with conspiring to cause the explosion, but failed to return to court in November 1997.

He was detained on an international arrest warrant.

Rogan is one of a number of people, known as "on-the-runs" whom Sinn Fein is bargaining to have allowed to return to Ireland as part of the on-going political process.

His arrest was the result of the close anti-terrorist collaboration between Spain and the UK, according to a statement from General Police Headquarters.