Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, says he cannot interfere in the judicial process of another country regarding the imprisonment of former OCI president Pat Hickey.
Minister Flanagan made the following statement on Friday evening, having read the list of concerns issued by Hickey’s family through a solicitor earlier in the day.
He said that he will meet the family in the coming days and talk about consular assistance for the 71-year-old – currently being detained in Rio’s high security Bangu Prison – but that, “the Department cannot however provide legal advice or interfere in any way in the judicial processes in another country.”
Here is the statement…
“In general terms, the Department’s focus in cases of arrest or detention of Irish citizens overseas is on a number of specific issues including ensuring that the citizen has access to legal representation, that the citizen is not being discriminated against on the grounds of nationality, and that the host authorities are fulfilling their responsibilities in ensuring the welfare and wellbeing of our detained citizen.
“In this context my officials are in ongoing contact with the Brazilian authorities.
“The Department cannot however provide legal advice or interfere in any way in the judicial processes in another country.
“I have agreed to meet with the Hickey family and arrangements will be made for this meeting to take place in the coming days. In the meantime, my Department is continuing to monitor developments in this consular case closely and is continuing to provide all appropriate consular advice and assistance to Mr. Hickey and his family.”
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