asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had a request from the Catholic hierarchy to protest to the British Government at the conviction of three young Irish citizens at Winchester on Friday, 28 October 1988.
Written Answers. - Winchester Conviction.
65.
I intend to take Questions Nos. 40, 44 and 65 together.
The report of the Government's legal observer at the Gibraltar inquest and the report of the Government's observer at the Winchester trial have been received and are being considered. It is not the practice of the Government to publish confidential reports of this kind.
The position in respect of the Winchester trial is that the defendants are at present seeking leave to appeal. I do not believe that it would be helpful or appropriate for the Government to comment publicly on a case that is currently before the courts.
I have not received any requests from the Catholic hierarchy of the type mentioned in Deputy Deasy's question.