Ahern urged to help death row prisoner
The Taoiseach should intervene immediately in the case of a black man on death row for 28 years in the US, it was claimed today.
Roger Collins, who has Irish ancestors, is under a death sentence in a Georgia state prison for killing his girlfriend in 1977.
As Irish supporter Billy Colbert today flew out of Dublin to visit Mr Collins for the tenth time, he called on Bertie Ahern to put pressure on the US government to grant Mr Collins a pardon.
Mr Colbert, who became penpals with Mr Collins in 1998, said: “The world is moving faster than our politicians. If George Bush can make historic visits to China and Mongolia, then surely the Taoiseach can do something for a man on death row in a prison in America.”
“Roger has an intellectual disability and is in poor health. He has Irish roots through his mother.
“If there was any respect for his human rights, he would be be given a pardon immediately.”
Mr Collins was 18 when he and two older men were charged with bludgeoning Dolores Lester, 18, to death with a car jack.
Mr Collins accepted that he was guilty of not trying to prevent Ms Lester’s death, but denied having any part in killing her.
Mr Colbert, a former soldier from Portlaoise, said the prisoner has been traumatised by five premature ’death calls’ during which he is taken through a routine in the belief that he is going to the electric chair.
The prisoner has Irish ancestors on his mother’s side. He has been in poor health due to a recent eye operation.
Mr Colbert raised the issue when he addressed the Oireachtas Sub-Committee on Human Rights in May. Chairman Senator Paul Bradford agreed to send a “strongly-worded letter” to the State Governor.
Senator Bradford also said the committee would also look at a mechanism that will allow a committee member to visit Mr Collins in prison.
Mr Colbert also plans to seek help from EU ambassador to the US, former Taoiseach John Bruton,
Irish people removed all references to the death penalty in the Irish Constitution by referendum in June 2001.
