1,300 Irish citizens in overseas jails

Over 1,300 Irish prisoners are starting the year in jails overseas. Up to a thousand of these are incarcerated in British prisons. The Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas said it is particularly concerned at the case of a Co Monaghan man who has been in a Thai prison for almost two years.

Spokesperson Nuala Kelly said the Commission was worried that Colin Martin of Carrickmacross, who has been in a Bangkok jail for 17 months, will not be able to prepare a proper defence for his upcoming appeal. She added that the Commission is concerned that his conviction seems to be based on very weak evidence.