An ex-soldier from the Midlands is championing the cause of an American Death Row inmate who faces the electric chair within the next 18 months.
Billy Colbert, from Oakleaf Place, Knockmay, Portlaoise, is fighting the cause of Roger Collins who is being held at Jackson Penitentiary in Georgia.
Collins (40), has been on Death Row for the last 22 years following the imposition of a death sentence for the killing of his girlfriend when he was only 18 years old. It is a crime he claims he did not commit.
Collins is not prepared to spend the rest of his life in prison and has told the authorities to "free me or fry me", in an effort to put pressure on the authorities in Atlanta.
Collins, who came from a dysfunctional home and claims to have been the victim of physical abuse as a child, was illiterate when he was convicted. However, he taught himself to read and write and this brought him into contact with Billy Colbert when he began looking for pen-pals around the world.
The unlikely friendship between the two began when they started exchanging letters some years ago. They were later to become close friends.
Last year, Billy Colbert, a former member of the Defence Forces, travelled to Atlanta and while there he visited his friend in prison three times.
He also visited the inmate's mother, Louise Collins, who is convinced of her son's innocence. Mr Colbert also visited the law firm, Harvey Attorneys, in Atlanta which is handling the legal challenge to have the sentence com muted.
Now Mr Colbert is making himself available to any group which is prepared to hear about the case and said he will speak to schools, political parties or any groups or organisations.
He can be contacted at (0502) 60764