A murder suspect seeking bail while he fights his extradition to Northern Ireland has compared his continued detention in an Irish prison to internment.

Francis Lanigan with a previous address at Pinebrook, Mulhuddart, has been in prison for nearly two years since his arrest at a Dublin gym, where he had been working under an assumed name.

Mr Lanigan (49) is wanted in the North over the murder of John Knocker - who was shot dead in a hotel car park in Dungannon, Co Tyrone in May 1998.

He was arrested on foot of an extradition warrant in January last year at the Carlisle Gym in Dublin, where he had been working under the assumed name Kieran McRory.

Today the High Court heard that gardaí knew his real identity for some time because a detective had covertly carried out DNA testing on a coffee cup at the gym.

After his arrest last year, Mr Lanigan applied for bail but he was refused because he was deemed a flight risk.

However his case has taken many twists and turns since then - including a long legal aid battle - and nearly two years on, he is still in custody.

Ideally, European Arrest Warrant cases are supposed to be disposed of in 60 days.

His barrister Kieran Kelly today asked the High Court to revisit the question of bail for his client as Christmas is approaching and he has a young child.

Ms Justice Yvonne Murphy has agreed to let Mr Lanigan make a fresh bail application, but not until next Monday.

She made it clear that based on the affidavit he submitted today he will not get out of jail.

Lawyers for the State say they have as yet no details who will put up the independent surety.

As proceedings wrapped up, Mr Lanigan spoke out to the judge, likening his time in custody to internment, and he said 'You're sending me back to the country that tortured me'.