Statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs on the death of an Irish Citizen in Bolivia

An Roinn Gnóthaí Eachtracha Preas Ráiteas

Tel: 353 -1- 478 0822 Fax: 353 -1- 478 5942 / 475 7476

Idirlíon/Internet: www.dfa.ie Ríomh Phost/E-mail: press.office@dfa.ie

Statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs on the death of an Irish Citizen in Bolivia

"I have seen the latest reported remarks of President Morales in relation to the death of Michael Dwyer.

I want to make it clear that Ireland had no involvement in or has no sympathy for any action designed to destabilise Bolivia or threaten the security of its democratically elected President.

The Irish Government has not the remotest desire of getting involved in the internal political situation in Bolivia. Our interest relates exclusively to the fact that an Irish citizen was killed by the Bolivian state security forces in particularly violent circumstances.

Michael Dwyer was identified to the media by name and nationality and gruesome newsreel of his dead body displayed on the international media before any contact was made with the Irish Embassy.

The Irish Government has a legitimate right to seek the facts of how one of its citizens came to be killed by the security forces of another State, particularly where prima facie evidence is sufficient to raise questions in relation to the description of events released by the Bolivian authorities.

The Bolvian authorities have made serious allegations against Michael Dwyer. I have no idea of how he came to be in Bolivia, and in the company of the other persons who were either killed or arrested by the Bolivian security forces. However, I am clear that he had no criminal record in Ireland and that he was not, as has been suggested in Bolivia, a former member of the Irish Army.

The Irish Government is simply interested in establishing the facts.

Michael Dwyer’s bereaved family and friends deserve to know the truth. Ireland stands ready to cooperate fully with the Bolivian authorities in the investigation of this matter.  

The Irish Embassy official on the ground in Bolivia has received good assistance from the Bolivian authorities, particularly in regard to the repatriation of Michael Dwyer's remains.  On my instructions, he has made clear both that Ireland has no interest or involvement in efforts to destabilise the political situation in Bolivia and the Government's interest in establishing the facts in relation to the death of Michael Dwyer.

I will be seeking to speak to my Bolivian counterpart today to confirm our interest in seeing that this matter is pursued in the spirit of friendship and cooperation which characterises relations between Ireland and Bolivia."

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22 April 2009

Press Office