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File photo of Michael Dwyer PA/PA Archive/Press Association Images

Family of Irishman killed in Bolivia seek UN support

Michael Dwyer was shot dead during a Bolivian police raid in a hotel in 2009.

THE FAMILY OF Tipperary man Michael Dwyer are meeting UN officials in Geneva today where it is expected they will call for an inquiry into his death in Bolivia in 2009.

Today Fianna Fáil Leader Micheál Martin has said a full independent and external inquiry into the killing of Dwyer is required and he urged the UN to support the request being made by the Dwyer family.

Dwyer and two other men were shot dead by Bolivian police during a raid at the Hotel Las Americas in Santa Cruz in April 2009. Two further men arrested at the scene have been detained by police since the incident.

Martin said, “The Bolivian government has serious questions to answer about the actions taken on the night Michael was killed and since.”

He said it was clear that the Bolivian authorities have never co-operated fully with the family and denied a request he made, as Minister for Foreign Affairs at the time, that an international panel be appointed to investigate his death.

“The Dwyer family have suffered a huge loss and their pain was made worse by the false allegations that were made immediately after Michael’s death and the continued refusal of the Bolivian government to deal with this case openly,” he added.

“I know members of Michael’s family are meeting UN officials in Geneva today and I am urging Christof Heyns, the Special Rapporteur on ex-Judicial Killings, to support the Dwyer family.”

In April this year, Dwyer’s family travelled to the European Parliament to seek EU support in their quest to hold Bolivia accountable for the killing.

Martin said it is essential that this case is fully investigated so that those responsible for Michael’s death are “held to account”.

Related: CIA linked to Irishman’s death in Bolivia – Wikileaks>

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    Mute plato
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    Aug 27th 2012, 1:54 PM

    79% say it unacceptable to give a mobile phone to people under 18 ?? Am I reading that right? Almost every teenager I know has a mobile phone.

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    Mute plato
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    Aug 27th 2012, 1:55 PM

    Oops that was 8 not 18.. Knew I hadn’t read it correctly.. D’oh !!

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    Mute Kerry Blake
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    Aug 27th 2012, 2:02 PM

    8? Seriously what does an 8 year old child need a mobile for?

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    Mute Thomas M Bourke
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    Aug 28th 2012, 9:47 AM

    In my daughter’s class (9/10 year olds) last year there were a few who had cellphones

    I remember having change for the callbox at the school…

    needless to say, while she may have a kindle to read books on, she does *not* have a cellphone!

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    Mute fitszenpatrik
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    Aug 27th 2012, 3:34 PM

    Technology certainly divides our household.
    Since we got an electric fence down the middle of our living room the rows have reduced greatly.

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    Mute Niamh
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    Aug 27th 2012, 4:26 PM

    That was really funny!! :-D

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    Mute Thomas M Bourke
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    Aug 28th 2012, 9:48 AM

    ours is made of lego… thing is my daughter designed the fence and now cannot go to the toilet without causing a row as she crosses her own fence!

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    Mute John Quill
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    Aug 27th 2012, 1:38 PM

    OMG, totes maze LOL! LMAO!

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    Mute Mary Kavanagh
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    Aug 27th 2012, 5:13 PM

    Lol to fitsen.. :D

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    Mute BlackQueen
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    Aug 28th 2012, 7:14 AM

    So tired of seeing ipad instead of tablet device. Even psychologists aren’t immune from fruit control!

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