An order has been granted in the US for the extradition of Ulster priest Fr Francis Markey (82) back to Ireland to face two charges of alleged rape of a 15-year-old boy in the Sixties.

Fr Markey, a native of Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, has 30 days to appeal the ruling. And the priest could either be jailed for a second time in the US, pending either extradition or an appeal being lodged against the order.

The priest's attorney has argued that his client should remain on bail while he fights the extradition bid.

However, the assistant US attorney for northern Indiana, Kenneth Hays, referred to case and statutory law which he claims requires Fr Markey to be detained once extradition has been granted.

Fr Markey has appeared frail in court hearings and his supporters claim that, following his arrest in November, his health took a dramatic downturn.