asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the death by hanging of Brain Maguire in Castlereagh Interrogation Centre, and the overwhelming evidence that the five techniques which the British Government renounced at Strasbourg have been replaced by numerous similar disorientation techniques, he will make representations to the British Government to establish the precise circumstances of Mr. Maguire's death, and to secure the abolition of all remaining disorientation techniques.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Interrogation Centre Death .
16.
: Through the regular contact maintained over the years with reliable sources in Northern Ireland, I am aware in considerable detail of the reports of ill-treatment of suspects in Castlereagh and elsewhere in Northern Ireland. Some of these reports are disquieting and I can assure the Deputy that the British Government is fully aware of the concern of the Irish Government that the interrogation of suspects in Northern Ireland should be carried out with full respect at all times for the human and legal rights of the suspect and that, where an event such as the tragic case referred to by the Deputy gives rise to misgivings or suspicions in any part of the community, it is in the interest of all concerned to dispel such suspicions by establishing the circumstances surrounding the case. In regard to the precise circumstances of Mr. Maguire's death I am informed by the British authorities that an inquest is to be held on 26 June.
Arising out of recent allegations about interrogation methods at Castlereagh, I have been in contact with the British authorities who have assured me that they stand by the undertaking given by their Attorney General before the European Court of Human Rights. I will, of course, continue to keep in close contact with all aspects of the matter.
: Is it not a fact that this unfortunate man was not a member of any subversive organisations but simply a trade unionist and that, if the Amnesty report is true, he has been subjected to these terrible torture methods at which the British have become so expert? In view of the action taken by the Government on another occasion, we must surely take up this specific case in a more detailed way. Is it the intention of the Minister that our Government will be represented at the inquest on 26 June?
: In so far as the Amnesty report is concerned, the Deputy will be aware that that report was only published at 10 o'clock yesterday evening and I have not had an opportunity to consider it in detail. In regard to the circumstances of Mr. Maguire's death, I am not aware that he was a member of a trade union or of any other organisation. The Govment have been and will remain in contact with the British Government in regard to the inquiry into the circumstances of his death and will be fully informed of the outcome.
: Is it not a reasonable assumption from the death of this unfortunate man that the British Government have treated the verdict of the Commission of Human Rights and the Government of the Republic with total contempt in continuing to carry on at Castlereagh with similar torture methods for which they were indicted and found guilty in Strasbourg?
: I have been assured by the British authorities that the undertaking they gave through their Attorney General to the European Court of Human Rights is being acted upon. In regard to similar techniques being used at present, I am actively monitoring that matter. If any further evidence emerges I will certainly take the matter up with the British authorities.
: In relation to the previous question on Chile, the Minister accepted my point that an independent inquiry was an independent inquiry carried out by other than the Chileans who would not be objective about these things. Would he insist, in relation to this case, that the inquiry be caried out by outsiders other than the British upon whom nobody can continue to rely?
: The Deputy will see that that does not arise from his question.