Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 80: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will support the case of a person (details supplied) who is detained at a location without charge since September 2009. [10731/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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As the Deputy may be aware, my Department in September 2007, via our Embassy in New Delhi, was informed that the person mentioned by him was arrested on arrival at Colombo Airport, "under suspicion for involvement in terrorist activities" under order from the Ministry of Defence of Sri Lanka. I am informed that to date the person concerned has not been formally charged and the Sri Lankan authorities have indicated that the investigations into his activities are active and ongoing.

As mentioned in the Deputy's correspondence, my Department, through our Embassy in New Delhi and our Consular Assistance Section has provided extensive consular assistance to the person concerned and to his family here in Ireland. Our current and our previous Ambassador in New Delhi and our Honorary Consul in Sri Lanka has visited him in prison on numerous occasions and continue to raise his case at the highest level with the authorities there. I can assure the Deputy that my Department continues to call for him to be brought to trial or released as soon as possible and we maintain a high level of interest and involvement in his case.

I can confirm to the Deputy that my officials remain in close and direct contact with his wife and family and we continue to provide all possible consular assistance and advice to her on any development on his case.