Thursday 5 November 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 29716Extradition (facilitating terrorism; weapons trafficking) · Co. Dublin

Bail granted in Dublin terrorism and weapons trafficking extradition case

Youcef Madani, a 53-year-old Algerian man and father of four, was convicted in France in 2001 in his absence for making false documents in relation to facilitating terrorism involving weapons trafficking, relating to offences between 1996 and 1998. He fled to Ireland over 20 years ago, registered with immigration services in 2002, and was in the process of becoming a citizen. He was arrested in early September 2021 when gardaí stopped him while driving and his name appeared on the Schengen Information System as wanted in France. Fingerprints confirmed his identity as Abderrahmane Yahiaoui, the name under which he was convicted in France. He was granted bail at the High Court before Mr Justice Paul Burns despite Garda objections, with conditions including daily sign-on at Tallaght Garda Station and surrendering his passport.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court29 Sep
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Madani is a 53-year-old Algerian man and father of four who fled to Ireland over 20 years ago after his 2001 conviction.
  • Madani was convicted in France in 2001 in his absence for making false documents in relation to facilitating terrorism involving weapons trafficking, relating to offences between 1996 and 1998.
  • Madani went under the name Abderrahmane Yahiaoui in France and admitted giving a false name.
  • Madani is on medical disability for partial blindness due to a skull cancer for which he had undergone radiological therapy, and has a limp.
  • Madani was in the process of becoming a citizen and had only minor road traffic convictions in Ireland.
Sentence
Madani was sentenced to six years in France in 2001 but never served a day.
Where
Madani lives at Killakee Avenue, Firhouse, Tallaght, Dublin 24.
When
Madani was arrested in early September 2021 when gardaí stopped him while driving.
Investigation
Gardaí identified Madani when his name appeared on the Schengen Information System as wanted in France, and fingerprints confirmed his identity as Yahiaoui.
In court
  • Madani was granted bail at the High Court before Mr Justice Paul Burns despite Garda objections, with conditions including daily sign-on at Tallaght Garda Station, surrendering his passport, a €2,000 own bond, and a €10,000 surety from his son.
  • Madani is to appear before the High Court again on 11 October 2021.
Other details
It was claimed it was unclear whether the offences were committed in Holland or France.
40 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMadani is 53 and a father of four (thejournal.ie)
  • whatMadani is Algerian (thejournal.ie)
  • whatMadani fled to Ireland over 20 years ago after his terrorism conviction (thejournal.ie)
  • whatMadani was convicted in France in 2001 in his absence for making false documents in relation to facilitating terrorism involving weapons trafficking (thejournal.ie)
  • whatMadani was in receipt of medical disability for partial blindness (thejournal.ie)
  • whatMadani had a wife and children in Ireland and only minor road traffic convictions (thejournal.ie)
  • whatMadani was recently in the process of becoming an Irish citizen (thejournal.ie)
  • whatThe conviction related to the years between 1996 and 1998 (thejournal.ie)
  • whatMadani registered with immigration services in Ireland in 2002 (thejournal.ie)
  • whatMadani was on medical disability for partial blindness due to a cancer in his skull for which he had undergone radiological therapy (thejournal.ie)
  • whatMadani had handed in his passport to gardaí and had no other travel documents (thejournal.ie)
  • whatMadani was convicted in France in 2001 in his absence of making false documents in relation to facilitating terrorism involving weapons trafficking (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatHe fled to Ireland over 20 years ago (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatHe is 53 years old and Algerian (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatHe has a limp and is on medical disability for partial blindness (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatHe was secretly working in Dublin as a courier before his arrest (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatHe was in the process of becoming an Irish citizen (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatHe went under the name Abderrahmane Yahiaoui in France (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatThe conviction related to a time between 1996 and 1998 (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatIt was claimed it was unclear whether offences were committed in Holland or France (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatHe admitted he gave a false name in France (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatHe is the father of four (dublinlive.ie)
  • whereMadani has an address at Firhouse in Tallaght, Dublin 24 (thejournal.ie)
  • whereHe lives at Killakee Avenue, Firhouse, Tallaght (dublinlive.ie)
  • whenMadani was arrested in Dublin in September when stopped while driving (thejournal.ie)
  • whenHe was arrested in early September 2021 when gardai stopped him while driving (dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationGardaí stopped Madani when he appeared under the name Yahiaoui on the Schengen Information System showing him as wanted in France (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationFingerprints confirmed that Madani was Yahiaoui (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationFingerprints later confirmed his identity (dublinlive.ie)
  • courtMadani was granted bail at the High Court despite Garda objections (thejournal.ie)
  • courtBail conditions include signing on at Tallaght Garda Station daily, surrendering passport, €2,000 own bond, and keeping the peace (thejournal.ie)
  • courtMadani was remanded in custody with consent to bail to appear before the court again on 11 October (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe bail application was heard at the High Court before Mr Justice Paul Burns (thejournal.ie)
  • courtMr Justice Paul Burns granted him bail in the High Court despite Garda objections (dublinlive.ie)
  • courtHis bail conditions require him to sign on daily at Tallaght Garda station and surrender his passport (dublinlive.ie)
  • courtHis son acted as an independent surety of €10,000 (dublinlive.ie)
  • courtHis defence barrister Maria Brosnan told the court he was entitled to a full retrial in France (dublinlive.ie)
  • courtHe is to appear before the High Court again on Monday (dublinlive.ie)
  • sentenceMadani was sentenced to six years in 2001 which remained in place (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceHe was sentenced to six years in France but never served a day (dublinlive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 9 Oct2021
    In courtdublinlive.ie, its first report
    Convicted terrorist spotted strolling out of Dublin garda station

    First report of Madani's extradition case; details his French conviction, 20-year residence in Ireland, arrest in early September 2021, bail conditions, and upcoming High Court appearance.

    accused, Youcef Madani, 53, male, Algerian, named, non-irishYoucef Madani
  2. 29 Sep2021
    In courtthejournal.ie, first report
    Bail for man who fled to Ireland over 20 years ago after terrorism conviction in France

    Full details of the bail hearing: Garda objections citing flight risk and six-year sentence, Madani's background as an expert in false paperwork, his medical condition (partial blindness from skull cancer), his immigration history, and the specific bail conditions imposed by Mr Justice Paul Burns.

    accused, Youcef Madani, 53, male, Algerian, named, non-irishYoucef Madani