asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has made any approach to the Argentine Government to expedite the release of an Irish rugby player held in custody there.
Written Answers. - Detention of Rugby Player.
179.
As the Deputy will no doubt be aware, three rugby players from Northern Ireland, one of whom was Mr. William Anderson, and a player from England, all members of a team touring Argentina, were arrested in Buenos Aires in the early hours of 11 August 1980 for alleged theft of an Argentine flag, from a flagpole on a Government building, and for showing disrespect to a national symbol.
When the police questioned Mr. Anderson about the incident, he admitted full responsibility. The three other players were arrested when they accompanied Mr. Anderson to the police station.
The Irish Embassy in Buenos Aires became aware of the incident later on 11 August and were in informal contact with the British Embassy, whose consular section was dealing with the matter, since the persons concerned were travelling on British passports and so were under the consular protection of the British authorities.
The English player was released on 15 August. The two other players from Northern Ireland arrested with Mr. Anderson were released on 26 August and immediately left the country. Mr. Anderson was released at the same time on bail to appear again in court at a later date.
Mr. Anderson did not initiate any contact with the Irish Embassy or seek its assistance. The Embassy had no formal standing in the matter, since Mr. Anderson was travelling on a British passport. Informal approaches were, however, made to the Argentine authorities, conveying our interest in the case and our hope that the extenuating circumstances involved would be taken into account. An Embassy official paid a number of visits to the players, in case help on an informal basis might be needed.
Mr. Anderson was eventually given a suspended sentence. He left Argentina the same day, 18 November 1980.