Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

It would not be appropriate for me to intervene politically in this case any more than it would be appropriate for the Greek Foreign Minister to raise with me a matter that is before the Irish courts. It would not be appropriate or helpful if I were to make any comment on the trial, verdict or appeal process. That would also not be helpful to the man concerned. I do not propose to do so.

If Mr. Marku's defence lawyers wish to authentic documents here, this can be done through the consular section in my Department. We are happy to do so. As I stated, we have taken an interest in this case. Our embassy in Athens has attempted to have the issue raised with the authorities in Greece. The Minister of State, Deputy Creighton, has met with the Irish in-laws of the man concerned. We are open to maintaining that contact but we cannot intervene inappropriately in what is a judicial matter in another member state of the European Union.

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