February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
The Police Service of Northern Ireland and the North’s Public Prosecution Service, for reasons not entirely explained, have finally decided not to bring charges against Zaitschek in relation to the Castlereagh break-in of St. Patrick’s Day, 2002.
Zaitschek is obviously relieved, but understandably furious that his personal life has been roiled by the case, not least because it has entailed separation from his son Pierce, who will be eleven years old in November.
Zaitschek has not seen Pierce since March, 2002. Father and son have managed to establish a relationship by phone which, needless to say, is far from ideal.
Pierce is living with his mother, Zaitschek’s estranged wife, who is reportedly living in England and within the British version of America’s witness protection program.
As with so much about this case, precisely what danger mother and son face has never been made fully clear.
What is clear is that a U.S. citizen who was an alleged accomplice in the break-in – but only ever alleged, so presumably innocent until it was proven otherwise – and who is apparently not now going to face any charges in relation to the case, has been denied access to his son for over seven years.
No matter what the circumstances, this stands out as harsh punishment indeed, both for father and son.
It is incumbent on the relevant authorities to now make it possible for a reunion between Zaitschek and his son, and as soon as possible.