Protest over man’s detention in France
Paul Barrett, 38, from Fethard in Co Tipperary, has been held without charge since March.
The truck he was driving was impounded by customs authorities in France on March 7 and he returned to Ireland as a foot passenger on a ferry.
A week later he was asked by his employer to return to France to collect the truck in Caen, and on returning to France he was arrested and transferred to a prison in Lille.
Consular assistance has been provided and his family have stepped up their efforts to secure his release. A Facebook page entitled Free Paul Barrett has 141 supporters and some of those campaigning for his release will hold a demonstration outside the offices of the Department of Foreign Affairs this Thursday.
His mother, Joan Barrett, has appealed for her son’s release and has said she fears for his health. She said that his weight has fallen to below eight stone and that he is subsisting on little more than chocolate.
Ms Barrett said her son was entirely innocent of any crime, while the Dáil heard last month from European Affairs Minister, Dick Roche, that the case allegedly involves the transportation of a large quantity of illicit cigarettes.
Ms Barrett said her son had never been involved in criminality and that he should be released on bail.
She also claimed that he was transporting apples when his truck was impounded and has said that conditions in the jail are affecting his health at a time when his father is also suffering ill health.
“Paul’s health is deteriorating and he is losing weight rapidly. He only eats chocolate and corn flakes and is below eight stone in weight now which is very serious for a lad that’s nearly six foot tall,” she said.
It is understood that under French law while a case is being investigated suspects can, in certain circumstances, be held in detention.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has said it cannot interfere with legal proceedings in another country.
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