Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

On a previous occasion I raised the case of the young Tipperary man who is serving a life sentence in an English jail, the champion jockey, Christy McGrath from Carrick-on-Suir. There is a growing body of evidence that this is another miscarriage of justice. Within the last year, a man from Clonmel who had served 25 years was released and it was accepted that there had been a miscarriage of justice.

I attended a meeting in the House of Commons last Tuesday which was hosted by one of the local MPs. Mr. McGrath's family, the Tipperary Association and various bodies were present. They are demanding an appeal hearing for this young man. The Minister for Foreign Affairs has met the family. A petition stating there are serious doubts in this case has been signed by 48 MPs and I believe that number will rise to 100 MPs. Mr. McGrath has been in prison for four years and it should not take another 20 or 25 years to resolve his case. I ask the Leader to ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs to update the House on the case. It is vital that urgent action is taken by the House. This young man is now in a very serious state of ill-health and is not receiving the required medical attention.