Minister Charlie Flanagan: I cannot interfere in Pat Hickey's legal case

Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan will tell the family of Irish Olympics chief Pat Hickey that the Government “cannot interfere in any way” in his ongoing Brazilian detention when he meets with them next week.

The minister will outline the position to Mr Hickey’s relatives after they called on cabinet to help remove him from jail.

It comes as prison authorities are to allow journalists into the Bangu prison complex, where Mr Hickey and Kevin Mallon are being detained, for a visit on Monday morning. It is expected reporters will be able to tour parts of the prison and to take some photographs where specifically allowed by the authorities. However, they will not be able to meet Mr Hickey or Mr Mallon.