Nora Owen
Question:46 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the contact he has made with the authorities in Prague following the death of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13113/01]
Priority Questions. - Death of Irish Citizen.
I take this opportunity to offer my sincere condolences to the family of the deceased person on their tragic loss.
The Irish Embassy in Prague and the Department of Foreign Affairs are giving every appropriate assistance to the family during this most traumatic time. The family are naturally anxious to know as soon as possible the cause of death and the outcome of the Czech police investigation of the matter. The Embassy has been in regular contact with the police since 23 April and believes that a thorough investigation is being carried out. The police informed the Embassy on 30 April that two women had been charged with robbery and may face further charges when the results of the autopsy carried out in Prague, which are expected shortly, are known.
We will continue to liaise closely with the Czech authorities and keep the family fully informed of developments. The family have asked for privacy at this sad time and we want to respect their wishes in this regard in so far as we can.
Like the Minister of State, I express my sympathy to the family of the young man who died in Prague and to the family of the young man who nearly died but, thankfully, survived. Many people are concerned for young Irish people now that they can travel abroad so freely. What action has the Government taken to express its concern and annoyance to the Czech authorities about what appeared to be the dilatory manner in which the first report to the police in Prague was made? The police more or less ignored the request of Irish people there to investigate the death of one young Irishman and the near death of another. What annoyance has been expressed to the police, now that it has taken the matter seriously and arrested two people? Does the Minister of State agree that the delay by the Prague police led to a great deal of extra stress and pain for the family of the young man who lost his life?
I know there were such concerns initially but we are satisfied that the Czech police are investigating all possibilities. The Embassy is in constant contact with the Czech authorities and will continue to monitor the situation until the matter is resolved. The Department advises people who seek its advice about travelling to Prague to be aware of the need for vigilance in places of public entertainment. This also applies to many other countries. We have been in constant discussions with the Czech authorities who regret the incident and have co-operated with the Irish authorities.
Will the Minister of State confirm that the toxicology report on the young man who survived has shown traces of a sedative product in his body? What is the delay in getting the autopsy report? There appears to be an excessively long delay in obtaining it. Were it available, the family of the young man who lost his life could at least begin to know the truth of what happened and deal with their grief.
We have been in close contact with the family and have been told today by the Czech authorities that the initial toxicology results are expected by the end of this week. Definitive results may take some further weeks and the results will be made known to the family. It is hoped the results of the autopsy will indicate the cause of death.
Why the delay?
I have no idea. No information has been supplied to me to indicate why there is a delay. We have been informed by the Czech authorities today that the initial toxicology results are expected by the end of this week.