Irish Detectives to Escort Double Murder Suspect from South Africa for Trial
Irish detectives are preparing to travel to South Africa to bring Ruth Lawrence, a suspect in a double murder case, back to Dublin to stand trial. Lawrence has been in a South African jail for sixandahalf months after her arrest and subsequent extradition process. The Hawks, an elite South African police unit, arrested Lawrence during a dawn raid on October 4, and Chrispin Phiri of the South African Department of Justice confirmed her extradition.
Irish detectives are preparing to travel to South Africa to bring Ruth Lawrence, a suspect in a double murder case, back to Dublin to stand trial. Lawrence has been in a South African jail for six-and-a-half months after her arrest and subsequent extradition process. The Hawks, an elite South African police unit, arrested Lawrence during a dawn raid on October 4, and Chrispin Phiri of the South African Department of Justice confirmed her extradition.
Lawrence’s Co-Accused to Face Extradition After Sentence Completion
Lawrence’s co-accused, Neville van der Westhuizen, is currently serving a 15-year sentence in South Africa for culpable homicide. After his sentence is finished, an Interpol extradition warrant against him will be activated, and an extradition case will be heard.
Get Cape Town news in your inbox
Stay updated with the latest stories from the Mother City.
The Murder Case
In 2014, Lawrence and Van der Westhuizen fled Dublin after two men, Eoin O’Connor and Anthony Keegan, were found dead with gunshot wounds to their heads. The couple is believed to have incurred debts with a Dublin drugs gang, and the victims were executed when they attempted to collect a five-figure sum.
Hiding Out in South Africa
The couple managed to evade detection and live in South Africa, with Lawrence altering her appearance and using the name Ruth Lawless while working in various tattoo parlours. However, in October of last year, the Irish Director of Public Prosecutions issued a new arrest warrant to locate the fugitives. Van der Westhuizen had already been imprisoned for the culpable homicide of a teenager, and Lawrence was arrested at a suburban hideaway in Bloemfontein.
Lawrence Will be Formally Charged
Upon her arrival in Ireland, Lawrence, who is originally from Clontarf, North Dublin, will be formally charged with the murders of O’Connor and Keegan in April 2014. The authorities suspect both men were shot at close range, either at the Dublin home they rented or nearby.
Details of the Extradition
South African police will transport Lawrence in handcuffs and leg shackles 250 miles from Bansvlei holding cells in Bloemfontein to Johannesburg, where Irish police will complete the legal paperwork on May 21. Lawrence will then be flown back to Dublin on May 24 to stand trial.
Michael Jameson is a Cape Town-born journalist whose reporting on food culture traces the city’s flavours from Bo-Kaap kitchens to township braai spots. When he isn’t tracing spice routes for his weekly column, you’ll find him surfing the chilly Atlantic off Muizenberg with the same ease he navigates parliamentary press briefings.
View all articles →