Vol. 404 No. 4
102 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if officials from the Irish Embassy in Britain visited an Irish prisoner (details supplied) in Gartree Prison, Leicester; the purpose of their visit and the outcome; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
103 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has received any representations on behalf of an Irish prisoner (details supplied) in Gartree Prison, Leicester; and his response to any such representations.
104 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ask Irish Embassy Officials in Britain to ascertain if an Irish prisoner (details supplied) in Gartree Prison, Leicester, has lodged an appeal; the progress of the appeal to date; if there is any assistance his Department can give to this prisoner; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 102, 103 and 104 together.
I have been aware of the case of this citizen since October 1989 when he wrote to me about his case. At my direction, an officer of the Embassy immediately paid him a consular visit. The Embassy also contacted the citizen's legal representative and, in conjunction with the latter, raised his case with the British Police Complaints Authoritry and the British Home Office. In addition, the Embassy have written on several occasions to the citizen concerned. Late last year an Embassy official again visited him.
The Embassy understand that early last year the Police Complaints Authority sent a report on the case to the Home Office. In the course of this report the question of disciplinary charges being brought against certain police officers was raised. In addition, the Embassy have been informed by the citizen's legal representative that he made a submission to the Home Office last summer in which he presented fresh evidence and sought a decision from the Home Office for a referral of the case to the Court of Appeal.
The Home Office indicated to the Embassy earlier this month that this request was under active consideration. Pending a decision on this issue, however, they are not in a position to pursue the question of possible disciplinary charges.
