High Court Justice Michael Peart ruled Tuesday that Russell, 27, should be returned to the United States to face charges that he killed three Washington State University students while driving drunk.

Russell was returned to Dublin's Cloverhill Prison while his lawyers decided whether to appeal the ruling to Ireland's Supreme Court.

"I'm so happy and really appreciate the efforts of the State Department and prosecutors that helped this come to the right end," Rich Morrow, father of victim Tracy Morrow, told KREM-TV by telephone from Seattle. "We always hoped someone would do the logical and right thing."

It fell to the U.S. Marshals Service to track Russell after he skipped bail in Whitman County in October 2001.

"Obviously, we're real pleased with the Irish court's decision for a number of reason," U.S. Marshal Mike Kline said. "Number one, it was the right thing to do. We will be really pleased when he is back in Whitman County to stand trial."

Russell fled while awaiting trial on three counts of vehicular homicide and four counts of vehicular assault for a crash that killed three WSU students and injured four others on state Highway 270 near the Idaho-Washington border.

Irish police arrested Russell last October after receiving a tip he was working as a security guard at a Dublin lingerie shop under the name "David Carroll."

Russell was briefly on the Marshals Service's 15 Most Wanted list, and his image on the Internet apparently led to the tip on his whereabouts. Kline declined to discuss who tipped authorities, or rewards that could be paid for Russell's capture.

"The biggest reward for us is to get him here to stand trial and for some closure for the victims' families," Kline said.

Carol La Verne, chief deputy Whitman County prosecutor, said the Irish judge's ruling was momentous.

"I would say it is an enormous step. We're very pleased," she said. "I'm assuming if he appeals, it could be awhile before we have him back. If not, we could have him back within 30 days or so."

A former WSU student, Russell was allegedly driving a Chevrolet Blazer at about 90 mph in a 55 mph zone when he tried to pass other vehicles and struck three cars the night of June 4, 2001.

Killed were WSU seniors Brandon Clements, 22, of Wapato; Stacy G. Morrow, 21, of Milton; and Ryan Sorensen, 21, of Westport. Seriously injured were John Wagner of Harrington, Kara Eichelsdoerfer of Central Park and Sameer Ranade of Kennewick. The fourth vehicular assault charge involved a person in another vehicle.