Gardai will seek to extradite him back to Ireland to stand trial for the double murder

THE ex-partner of double killer Ruth Lawrence could be extradited to Ireland in 2027 to stand trial for the murders of Eoin O’Connor and Anthony Keegan.

We can reveal Neville van der Westhuizen, 42, can apply for parole seven years after he received a 15-year sentence in 2020 for the killing of Cody Houghton, 19, in Durban, South Africa, on February 24, 2017.

Once released, Gardai will seek to extradite him back to Ireland to stand trial for the double murder.

The convicted killer’s name is on the same warrant used to bring Lawrence back from South Africa.

Part of the legal doc accuses the pair of being involved in “serious firearms and drugs offences”.

Although van der Westhuizen’s legal team previously claimed he would be “executed” if he returned to Ireland, the paperwork for the warrant has been completed.

And in an exclusive interview with The Irish Sun, Cody’s mum Chantal told of her hopes her son’s killer will be extradited to Ireland.

She told us: “We are delighted that Ruth Lawrence was convicted of these brutal murders. She is as ­violent as her former partner.

“My son’s killer could be out of prison in two years’ time but it gives us comfort to know that he’s facing extradition back to Ireland.

“He won’t be able to get bail this time because the warrant has been executed and the authorities know where he is. Lawrence wasn’t a bystander in these terrible murders — she was centrally involved.

“She was perfectly suited to the man who killed my son and they were both devoid of any humanity.”

Chantal, who has been in contact with Eoin’s brother Brian, added: “Eoin and Anthony’s families had to wait a long time for justice.

“I know this isn’t the end of the road for them because the man who took my son from us also has to face justice.

“When he was crying in court he didn’t look as if he was someone capable of such violence. I am also disappointed that Eoin’s mother Jean wasn’t around to see justice.”

GRUESOME DETAILS

Eoin, 32, a dad of two, and Anthony, 33, went missing on April 22, 2014.

They were found shot dead the following month, on May 26.

They were discovered tied together, wrapped in plastic sheeting and buried in a shallow grave on Inchicup Island, Lough Sheelin, Co Meath.

During Lawrence’s trial, the Central Criminal Court heard how Lawrence had shot Eoin in the stomach before he was blasted in the head by van der Westhuizen.

His best friend Anthony was then shot in the head and neck.

The probe into the double murders was run by detectives from the Meath/Westmeath division under the direction of Senior Investigating Officer Brian Dunne, Det Sgt Kevin O’Brien, Det Supt David Nolan and Supt Mick Dorrigan.

Cody’s mum paid tribute to the Garda team for bringing Lawrence to justice, adding: “I know that the ­Gardai have done great work.

“I am pleased they will soon have an opportunity to also bring charges against the man who killed my son.”