Push for Pat Hickey’s bail

AFTER an interview extending over four hours on Thursday Rio police said Irish Olympic officials, Kevin Kilty and Stephen Martin, had co-operated fully and were very helpful.

Neither were suspects; the police just thought the two men could be helpful.

They have now been told they are free to go home, but must wait until the judge, who had their passports seized, returns them. This means they have effectively been compelled to remain in Brazil for about two weeks extra. Who pays for that?

When the Brazilians are so casual about restraining mere witnesses, nobody should be surprised at their treatment of suspects. It is expected to be three or four months before Pat Hickey is brought to trial. Even if he were in the best of health, the horrific prison conditions in which he is being held would be extremely dangerous.

He has undoubtedly alienated many by his behaviour as Olympic Council of Ireland president, but our Government should insist he be accorded bail, at least house arrest, and the same should apply to Irish citizen Kevin Mallon.