Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am grateful to Senator Ó Donnghaile for raising this important matter. Last week, I had an opportunity to brief the Dáil on my engagement regarding Mr. Taylor's case. I assure the House that my officials have been engaging with this matter on an ongoing basis.

The background to the Tony Taylor case is that he is from Derry and in recent years was a member of a dissident republican group. In 1994, he was sentenced to 18 years in prison after he was seriously injured in a premature explosion in Derry. He was released under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. He served a further three-year sentence from 2011 to 2014 for possession of a rifle.In March 2016, he was returned to prison after his early release licence was suspended by the then Secretary of State, Ms Theresa Villiers.

Mr. Taylor’s case has been discussed regularly with the Northern Ireland Office through my officials at the Belfast secretariat. My officials have also made visits to Mr. Taylor in Maghaberry Prison on two occasions, most recently in the past few weeks. I have written to the Secretary of State, Ms Karen Bradley, on the case and I spoke to her on the matter when we met in London last Thursday.

The Parole Commissioners for Northern Ireland held a parole hearing on Mr. Taylor’s revocation of licence in May 2017. The decision of the parole commissioners at that time was to continue the revocation of licence. A further review by the parole commissioners is under way and there had been an expectation that the review would conclude in the coming weeks. However, we understand from discussions with the Northern Ireland Office and Mr. Taylor’s legal representatives that there may be some delay in that process. This is clearly not ideal and we have urged that every effort be made to avoid unnecessary delays.

I am aware that Mr. Taylor has publicly renounced any future engagement in dissident republican activity. That is to be welcomed as there is no future on this island for political ends to be pursued through violence or the threat of violence. I have also received a letter from Mr. Taylor's wife, Lorraine, and I am aware of the couple's difficult family circumstances. I am also aware, as Senator Ó Donnghaile indicated, that there is considerable concern in Northern Ireland across the broad nationalist and republican community about the basis and nature of Mr. Taylor's ongoing detention. These have all been reflected in our ongoing engagement with the Northern Ireland Office on this matter.

The recent indications that Mr. Taylor’s new parole hearing may take longer than expected is of particular concern, as he has been back in detention for more than two years without being charged or convicted of any offences. I assure Senators that I and my officials will continue to actively monitor developments in the case and will continue to raise it with the Northern Ireland Office, including, as necessary, the Secretary of State.