Welcome for the Support of the Vice President of the EU Commission for Richard O’Halloran’s Release

NB

Please see letter from the Vice President of the EU Commission attached.

Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD has welcomed the support of the Vice President of the EU Commission, Josep Borrell Fontelles for the release of Richard O’Halloran. An Teachta Tóibín contacted the Office of the Vice President in February and has received a letter from the Fontelles which states;

“The EU stands in full solidarity with Ireland in its efforts to safeguard Mr O’Halloran’s rights. My thoughts are with Mr O’Halloran’s family, and his wife and children in particular, who have been unable to see him for several years”.

The Vice President also states “the EU stands ready to support the Irish authorities in these efforts, where appropriate”.

An Teachta Tóibín who has met with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Ambassador to Ireland on this case has also been in contact with the office of the Chinese Ambassador to the EU. Tóibín stated;

“This is a heart breaking case. Richard is being held against his will despite being completely innocent of any wrong doing for nearly 2 years. He is the only Irish citizen ever to be the subject of a Chinese exit ban. The Chinese exit ban is due to an allegation against a shareholder in the aircraft leasing company he worked for. Richard travelled to China voluntarily two years ago, to try and resolve the issue. Shockingly he has been detained there ever since. There is no complaint, allegation, charge or suspicion of wrongdoing against Richard. Richard O’Halloran has fully cooperated with all legal requests made of him”.

“In Ireland his wife and 4 children have suffered enormous stress and worry. The pressure that has been put on this family is indescribable. They need their father back in Ireland now”.

“I am calling on the Minister for Foreign Affairs to now make full use of the offer from the Vice President of the EU Commission to use the diplomatic heft of the EU to help secure the safe return of Richard to Ireland as soon as possible”

Richard O'Halloran Letter

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.