Seamus Culleton, from Glenmore, a village in South Kilkenny made international headlines this week when he spoke on national radio about his experiences in an ICE detention Camp. It has now been reported that Mr Culleton was facing drug related charges in New Ross District Court, and a bench warrant was issued when he failed to appear in April 2009. The Munster Express spoke to Tánaiste Simon Harris about the matter.
In September last year, Culleton had been coming home from work in Massachusetts when he was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, commonly known as ICE.
Culleton had a valid work permit at the time he was detained, is married to a US citizen, and was in the latter stages of earning his Green Card. Mr Culleton originally travelled to the US on a 90 day visa-waiver programme in March 2009.
In his interview on national radio, Mr Culleton explained that he had been locked in the same room for over four months and that he was in fear for his life. It has been reported that he was pushed to sign his own deportation papers, but refused as he had built a life in the US, which includes starting his own business and getting married.
It has since emerged, and has been reported in national media, that Mr Culleton has two outstanding bench warrants in Ireland. The first relates to two charges, one for possession of 25 ecstasy tablets, with a second charge for obstruction following attempts to discard the tablets during a search. The second warrant relates to a criminal damage charge which is said to date back to 2007. Both bench warrants were issued when Mr Culleton failed to appear in New Ross District Court.
It is important to note that Mr Culleton has not been convicted in relation to these charges.
Tánaiste Simon Harris visited Waterford last week. The Munster Express spoke to the Tánaiste regarding Mr Culleton’s situation.
Seamus Culleton, the man detained by ICE in the US is from Glenmore, a village not far from here [Waterford]. His case got a huge amount of attention in the media, and from politicians like yourself. It has since emerged that he was facing charges on a drug related issue in New Ross. Does that change the complexion of the situation, or the government’s approach?
“The Government and our consulate service is to provide assistance to all Irish citizens abroad, regardless,” explained Tánaiste Harris.
“Our number one priority when any Irish citizen is abroad in any difficulty is to assist. I think it’s important that we do and that our consulate services provide assistance in a non-judgmental manner to any citizen that is detained in any foreign country.
“That had always been the approach of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.”
Tánaiste Harris also explained that the diplomatic process was active in relation to Mr Culleton.
AARON KENT
