Diplomatic Representation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2016

Tuesday, 17 May 2016

Questions (587)

Seán Crowe

Question:

587. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware of the case of a person (details supplied) who has been imprisoned in the United States of America for more than 40 years; that the person's case was politically charged and the conviction is heavily contested; that the person has been classified as a political prisoner by human rights defenders and organisations and is long overdue for parole; and whether he will raise the case with his counterpart in the United States of America and call for the person's release before the President of the United States of America, Mr. Barack Obama, leaves office. [9803/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Leonard Peltier was convicted of the murder of two FBI agents who died during a confrontation on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota in 1975. He was arrested in Canada on February 6, 1976, and extradited to the United States where he was tried in 1977.

I am aware that a campaign has been mounted over the years seeking Mr. Peltier’s release and that the case has also been raised in this House more than once.

I am also aware that Mr. Peltier’s case has been reviewed by the US court system on several occasions and that his conviction has been consistently upheld. The US justice system, in line with established procedure, has also considered a number of requests by Mr. Peltier for parole and has declined his applications.

As the Government of Ireland has no locus standi on this case I do not propose to make recommendations to the US Federal Government in relation to Mr. Peltier.