Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 February 2013
77. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in relation to the recent detention of Jeyasundaram in Sri Lanka, considered illegal by UNWGAD, the reason there was no Irish diplomatic presence on the release date to ensure their release proceeded and to further ensure safety out of Sri Lanka. [9263/13]
View answer78. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which information has been made available to him or his Department arising from the ongoing detention of an Irish citizen (details supplied), in Sri Lanka; if their continued detention and the procedures to date followed by the authorities there are in accord with international law and human rights principles; if he is in a position to take any action at EU and or UN level with a view to ensuring that international procedures are strictly observed, that diplomatic access is available; whether in the absence of adherence to due process a request can be made for their repatriation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9267/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions No. 77 and 78 together.
As the Deputy will be aware from previous responses to questions in relation to the person named my officials remain in close and direct contact with the person’s wife and family and they liaise directly with her on all developments in his case. The Ambassador and officers in the Embassy in New Delhi, which is accredited to Sri Lanka, and the Honorary Consul of Ireland Office in Colombo have also been very active in this difficult case. The person named by the Deputy has been detained in Sri Lanka since 5 September 2007. No charge was brought against him until 29 January 2013. I am informed that at his trial on that date a sentence of one month was imposed on him. Subsequently, he was informed that he would be released on Tuesday, 12 February 2013. Based on this information his family made flight arrangements for him to return to Ireland. Officials from the Honorary Consulate attended the prison on 12 February to be present on his release and to offer any possible consular assistance. They were informed that the release would not go ahead and that four charges would be brought against him.
I am personally very concerned about this latest development and especially by the sudden manner by which his release was revoked. I have written to the Minister for External Affairs expressing in the strongest possible terms my disappointment and concern at the latest developments in this case and asking that the Minister act to ensure that all possible due process of law is afforded to the person named by the Deputy. Arrangements have been made for our Ambassador in New Delhi to travel to Sri Lanka today, Wednesday, 20 February in order that he may pay a prison visit to him. The Ambassador also requested a meeting with the Sri Lankan Minister for External Affairs and he will personally deliver my letter to the Minister.
My Department will continue to take every opportunity to seek to discuss this case bilaterally with the Sri Lankan authorities and at international fora. I can assure the Deputy that all possible consular assistance will continue to be provided in this very difficult case and that my officials will continue to liaise with the family of the person named by the Deputy.
