A TRAVELLER from Rathkeale, Co Limerick has appeared before the High Court on a European arrest warrant relating to the theft of rhino horns in Vienna last summer.
Austrian prosecutors investigating the theft of the horns, estimated to be worth €300,000 on the black market, are seeking the extradition of John Quilligan (31) of Roches Road in Rathkeale to face related criminal charges.
The Austrian authorities requested Garda assistance in tracking Mr Quilligan, after a number of arrests following the theft of the rhino horns from a museum and an antique dealer. He was arrested at a Garda checkpoint in Swords last Wednesday and appeared before the High Court where he was released on bail on condition he surrender his passport.
He is the second Limerick man to be arrested on a European arrest warrant relating to the theft of rhino horn. Last October, Michael Kealy of Abbeylands, Askeaton, was arrested in Kilkenny after British police sought his extradition in connection with the theft of a €200,000 rhino horn.
The trade in mature rhino horn is now considered more lucrative than the drug trade, with an average 4kg horn being sold for up to €50,000 per kilo.
Above: The carcass of a black rhino killed for its horn
