Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Ireland was recently elected to serve as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council for a period of three years, which began in January 2013. We have long championed the vital role of the United Nations in the promotion and protection of human rights and will continue to do so as a member of the Human Rights Council. I am aware of the case of the individual mentioned which is being monitored by officials of my Department. The British authorities have confirmed that he was released under licence in 1992. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland revoked that licence in April 2010 and the individual has, as a result, been in custody for the past two years and nine months. I understand an appeal in the case will be heard by the Supreme Court in Belfast in February. As the case is the subject of an ongoing legal process, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.

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