Known killer of two children still free after eight years

On April 9, 2000, Ciarán Tobin, an Irish citizen working as a senior manager of Irish Life and Permanent Hungary, was driving towards Budapest through a small town of Leányfalu. His speed was estabilished at least 80 km/h in a 50 km/h zone as he was passing cars in a reckless fashion on a two-lane road. He lost control of his vehicle, and ran onto the pavement where he hit and immediately killed two children, 2 year old Petra who was sitting in a pram, and 5 year old Márton, siblings.

He did not show up for the trial, but was duly represented by his lawyers, which is possible in Hungarian law. He was sentenced in absentia to 3 years in prison. On appeal the sentence was amended as possibly eligible for parole after serving only 18 months.

Meanwhile Hungary joined the EU, and the 2003 European Arrest Warrant Framework was in effect. Hungary requested the surrender of Mr. Tobin under the EAW agreement. However, Judge Peart refused the surrender claiming that Tobin did not "flee" Hungary as worded in both the EAW and the corresponding Irish implementation act, since he left Hungary with the consent of the Hungarian authorities. Later the Irish Supreme Court upheld Peart's decision. The Irish also refused the Hungarian request to make Mr. Tobin serve his time in an Irish prison, an option within the EAW Framework decision.

TV2's star reporter, Papp Gergely serves European Arrest Warrant to Ciaran Tobin at his home outside Dublin.