February 19, 1992

Joe Doherty, former member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army, killed Captain Herbert Westmacott, the highest ranking member of the British Army to be killed in Northern Ireland. Doherty was caught and tried in May 1981. However, he managed to escape Crumlin Road Jail just before the court convicted him with life imprisonment. Doherty managed to flee to America. In June of 1983 the FBI arrested him and a legal battle ensued. Doherty claimed he could not be extradited because killing Westmacott was a political murder. He further avoided being deported, and gained several sympathizers including 130 Congressmen. After the Supreme Court overturned his ruling, Doherty was deported on February 19, 1992. Under the “Good Friday Agreement.”