Man held in Spain over IRA attack

Leonard Hardy was arrested on the Costa del Sol

A north Belfast man arrested in Spain is to face extradition proceedings to Germany where he is wanted over an IRA bomb attack almost two decades ago.

Leonard Hardy, 44, was arrested at a hotel in the resort of Torremolinos.

Spanish police were acting on a warrant issued by the authorities in Germany where he is wanted over an IRA attack on a British army base in June 1989.

The PSNI has been made aware of developments and said it is monitoring the situation.

It is reported Mr Hardy had been under surveillance for days.

Reports from Spain said he will be taken to Madrid pending an extradition case.

In 1990, Leonard Hardy was sentenced to five years in prison in the Republic after being caught with explosives getting off a ferry in Rosslaire.

Sinn Fein TD for Louth Arthur Morgan said: "This man has lived openly in Ireland for many years with his family.

"It is my firm view this man should be released and allowed to return home to his family in Ireland without any further delay."