A vigil in support of imprisoned Clonmel man to take place outside Iranian Embassy in Dublin

Supporters of Clonmel man Bernard Phelan, who is imprisoned in Iran since last October, will hold a vigil outside the Iranian Embassy in Dublin this afternoon, as part of their campaign to secure his release.

The vigil for the 64-year-old travel consultant, who is in poor health takes place outside the embassy at Mount Merrion Avenue in Blackrock from 3pm to 4pm.

The vigil will be attended by Mr Phelan's 97-year-old father Vincent and sister Caroline along with extended family and friends. All taking part in the vigil are asked to bring a flower.

Mr Phelan's family stress the vigil is not a protest but an opportunity to unite Bernard's friends, family and supporters and highlight what they describe as his “hostage situation” to the public and media.

Mr Phelan has to date spent 178 days in prison in Iran. He was arrested on October 3 while travelling through the city of Mashhad, in the north-east of the country. He has dual Irish and French nationality, having lived in France for over 30 years.

His family outline that in the latest development in his case, he was brought before a judge in shackles and found guilty of “providing information to an enemy country”, a charge he denies. He was not permitted to have his lawyer with him and was appointed a court lawyer for the process. A prison doctor and nurse accompanied him. 

In an initial hearing on February 20, the judge sentenced him to 3.5 years but said he would receive a pardon from the court on humanitarian grounds because of his age and his ill health. 

But on February 26, Bernard was again brought to the court, with 20 minutes notice and without his own lawyer. He was told he would not be pardoned and that his sentence had been increased to 6.5 years. Documentation from the legal proceedings has not been released. Mr Phelan denies all charges.

His worried family point out that since being detained, Bernard’s health has deteriorated significantly. He was briefly admitted to hospital and placed on an IV drip. He requires daily medication for a number of health conditions and fears his supplies will run out.

Bernard’s doctor is concerned about the decline in his health. He has significant cardiovascular issues, cervical atherosclerosis, abnormal hypertension, high risk of stroke and kidney failure, a bone problem that generates significant chronic pain.

His eyesight is also deteriorating. He had an operation on both of his eyes prior to his trip to Iran and has not had the necessary postoperative follow-up.

Bernard Phelan was born in Clonmel and went to primary school in the town. His father Vincent ran a furniture factory in Clonmel and the family lived at Kilgainey and later Killaloan before moving to Dublin.

After moving to Dublin, Bernard and his family regularly returned to Clonmel to visit family and friends and Bernard loved to hike in the Comeragh Mountains. The family kept their house in Killaloan until eight years ago.