Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

This House has always been to the fore on human rights and civil liberties issues. We should be particularly vigilant when it comes to the rights and difficulties of our own citizens in foreign jurisdictions. I have raised the case in the House before of a young Tipperary man, a champion jockey, Christy McGrath, who is serving a long term of imprisonment for a crime of which he says he is innocent. There is growing evidence to support his case and it is particularly significant that 50 MPs now support him. Included in that number is John McDonald, MP, of the British-Irish Interparliamentary Body. He has been proactive, so much so that he is coming to Carrick-on-Suir on Sunday and on Monday morning to Buswells Hotel in Dublin.

If we are getting such support from political parties in Britain, we should be more proactive in our support for Christy McGrath. It is not right that a distinguished young man like him, who has such an impeccable record and who has worked very hard in his career, is left isolated in a British prison. I appeal strongly on his behalf that he does not spend a day longer in prison than is necessary. All he is asking is the opportunity to appeal his case in court to show how he has been wronged.