James Patrick McArdle in Cairns Magistrates Court over December run of fires in Melbourne’s CBD

An Irish national has been arrested in Cairns over driving charges. Melbourne detectives will extradite him to Melbourne to face far more serious allegations.

Victorian detectives were in the Cairns Magistrates Court this week as James Patrick McArdle, 29, made two brief appearances via CCTV over three Cairns driving charges.

Mr McArdle was arrested by Cairns police last Saturday, and is wanted on warrant by Melbourne Criminal Investigation Unit detectives in relation to a series of allegedly suspicious fires in Melbourne.

On Tuesday Magistrate Sandra Pearson granted the Victoria Police extradition request. Mr McArdle, who is an Irish national, will be held in Cairns until flights to Melbourne can be arranged on Wednesday or Thursday.

He will appear before the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday.

Mr McArdle is expected to face 17 charges in Victoria, including seven counts of arson, unlawful assault and committing an indictable offence while on bail.

James McArdle is wanted in relation to several arson incidents in Melbourne and will now be extradited there to face Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday.

The arson charges relate to a spate of fires in Melbourne’s CBD in December, including four car fires.

Victorian authorities are still investigating the spate of arsons, including seven further fires he has not been charged with.

On Monday the Cairns Magistrates Court heard Mr McArdle’s Queensland charges were unlawful use of a motor vehicle, driving over the alcohol limit and driving without a licence.

Magistrate Kevin Priestly endorsed those charges.

Mr McArdle made no application for bail and he was remanded in custody until Tuesday morning to give him the opportunity to speak to a duty lawyer.

Originally published as James Patrick McArdle in Cairns Magistrates Court over December run of fires in Melbourne’s CBD