Officers from the Liaison Bureau (LB), the Organised Crime and Triad Bureau (OCTB), and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) were delighted with a recent ruling in Eastern Magistrate's Court where the presiding Magistrate signed an Order for Committal for a fugitive wanted in Belfast, Northern Ireland to face a charge of murder that occurred in 1998.

The PSNI sought assistance from LB and OCTB through the Interpol channel shortly after the murder investigation began, as the victim, another suspect and the fugitive were all Hong Kong born residents living in Northern Ireland.

"The case itself is quite tragic," said Detective Superintendent Gary Stewart of the PSNI who headed the investigation. "The victim was romantically involved with a married man and was pregnant with his child at the time of her death. The victim tried to persuade the man to leave his wife and unfortunately, this probably ultimately led to her death."

Investigators initially focused their attention on the married man and he was eventually tried but acquitted of procuring the murder at the direction of the judge in Northern Ireland.

"That was quite disappointing," said Detective Chief Inspector Dave Cunningham of the PSNI, who was one of the Investigating Officers when the case occurred. "However, this spurred the team to concentrate on who actually committed the murder," he added.

This led to seeking assistance from the Hong Kong Police and through the efforts of LB and OCTB, a number of important leads were followed up. "We received excellent assistance and co-operation from the Hong Kong Police and we would like to thank DSIP Tobi Lothian, from LB and DSIP Sam Lau from OCTB, along with their team members for everything they did," said Detective Inspector Barry Feeney of the PSNI.

The fugitive contested the hearing and the case was presented by Mr Wayne Walsh, Deputy Principal Government Counsel of the Department of Justice. "Mr Walsh presented a very professional case given the fact that the evidence available is circumstantial. It is one of the best I have seen," said Superintendent Stewart.

The fugitive was escorted back to Northern Ireland by PSNI officers on June 20.

Officers of Police Service Northern Ireland, from right, Barry Feeney, Gary Stewart and David Cunningham visit Interpol Hong Kong, China with DSIP Tobi Lothian