Clemency sought for jailed Dublin woman

An appeal for clemency for Annette Mangan (22), the Dublin woman serving a four-month prison sentence in a Cyprus jail, will be submitted to the Cyprus Attorney General next Monday. Lawyers acting for the Mangan family told The Irish Times that six grounds have been listed in the letter of appeal. One of the solicitors, Ms Eleni Christodoulou, said: "The wide publicity given to the case, both in Cyprus and in Ireland, has had an adverse effect on the case."

Ms Christodoulou said that the fact that Mangan had "admitted her guilt" should count in her favour.

Once the appeal has been considered by the Attorney General, he will make a recommendation to the President, Mr Glafkos Clerides, who will take the final decision on whether to grant clemency and reduce Mangan's sentence.

Ms Christodoulou pointed out that Mangan had been sentenced under Section 115 of the Cyprus Penal Code, which covers cases of "public mischief". The sentence for those convicted under this provision is one year in prison or a fine.

The indictment against Mangan involved a false claim of rape against only one of the three Irishmen detained by police in the holiday resort of Aya Napa, not all three, Ms Christodoulou said. The other two men had been detained simply for the purpose of the police inquiry. All three were released without charge.

Mangan's father, Albert, who arrived on the island last weekend from Dublin, said that the lawyers were optimistic about the appeal. He denied press reports that the family was receiving "legal aid" or that the family's expenses and legal costs were being paid by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Mr Mangan, his other daughter, Avril, and son, Graham, visit Mangan daily in Nicosia Central Prison. They plan to remain in Cyprus until the clemency appeal.