Showing posts with label Marian Price. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marian Price. Show all posts
Sandy Boyer with his thoughts on the release from internment of Marian Price. His piece first appeared in Socialist Worker.
On May 15, 2011, Marian Price was imprisoned after she held up a piece of paper for a masked man at an Irish republican commemoration. On May 30, 2013, with her health broken, she was finally released.
On May 15, 2011, Marian Price was imprisoned after she held up a piece of paper for a masked man at an Irish republican commemoration. On May 30, 2013, with her health broken, she was finally released.
Guest writer Sean Bresnahan with a piece on Marian Price
Marian Price first entered my consciousness many years ago when I heard the famous ballad Bring them home, probably on a cassette stored in my Father's private collection, supposedly kept away from young, prying eyes along with political memorabilia from the Hungerstrikes of 1981 and wood-crafts made by my Mum's brother during time spent in Long Kesh in the 70's. I think it may have been the Wolfe Tones who recorded it though I don't recall for sure. For a young, inquisitive soul such as myself 'the tapes' wouldn't stay hidden for long and thus my parent's best efforts to keep at a remove from their first-born the terrible political events afflicting our country came to nothing as I heard for the first time the powerful message that "the IRA will set them free!" It was a poignant but inspiring song written of Marian and her sister Dolours, two women forever known in the republican lexicon as 'the Price sisters', two women I immediately developed an affinity for along with the cause they served so well. But who would ever have thought that all these years later we would be calling yet again for the release of one of those poor, long-suffering women from the wretched gaols of England?
721 days and counting...
Incredible as it may seem Marian Price has now spent two full years effectively interned by the British state. What's worse is there is no end in sight to her terrible ordeal. What questions does this ask of us as a society, especially given that we have supposedly entered a new era where the conflict of the past can be resolved through the political process? What does it say about that process itself given that a woman can be held in this manner without recourse to natural justice while those who administer the state fail or refuse to take onboard the gravity of the situation? These are serious questions to be reflected on if our imperfect peace is to prove sustainable rather than for a new generation of Irish men and women to form the opinion that there's no recourse but to lift the gun to once more "set them free". Level-headed people will agree that this is the last thing we need but while Marian Price remains imprisoned against all principles of natural justice then it becomes harder to argue otherwise.
So what kind of society and what kind of political system is this where those like Marian are taken out of circulation on the say-so of a colonial overlord and his faceless spooks, to be locked up without appeal to anything resembling justice? Marian Price is being interned because she has been deemed a threat to the Stormont status quo and as such is to be silenced - just as Gerry McGeough and Martin Corey were silenced in the same manner by those who continue to control Ireland. Martin of course remains imprisoned to this very day, over three years since first they came for him; Gerry thankfully is at home now with his wife and children but not before time.
It should be glaringly obvious that this is unacceptable. It's surely as plain as day that we continue to live in a warped society despite protestations to the contrary that things have moved on and we're living in a 'new dispensation'. The illegal imprisonment of Marian Price, among other things, tells us different. It tells us that when you scratch the surface of the seemingly reformed Northern Ireland state it remains overtly capable of the same repression against those it considers hostile to its aims and objectives. It's fine to use political means to further your goals but only so long as they remain consistent with those of the state. And that is a fundamental wrong and contravenes even the most basic of civil rights.
We rarely hear mention of Marian's plight in the mainstream media, it's as if someone doesn't want us to know just what's going on. But wait a minute, when you stop and think about it they don't! Control of the media is one of the most powerful weapon's in the state's arsenal - a compliant media prepared to tolerate and ignore injustice is a God-send for those who carry out or abide repressive acts such as the ongoing isolation and torture of Marian Price.
Given the distinct lack of attention paid in the mainstream media to the legal processes involving both Brian Shivers, who returned to Roe House to shouts of "innocent man on the wing" despite having his conviction quashed but thankfully has been found innocent of all charges and finally set free this afternoon, and the so-called 'Craigavon Two', who's case, now under appeal, has drawn comparisons to the notorious convictions of the Birmingham Six and the Guildford Four, we can determine that the state has an interest in limiting knowledge about what goes on inside our society where required to further its own corrupt ends.
It's high time those in positions of power spoke out to smash this media blackout and to challenge the very injustices once so rigorously opposed and condemned in the past, particularly after the damning vindication today of Brian Shivers, who in all likelihood has had years taken of his life by his experience of the British 'justice' system. Party politics just can't come into such an important aspect of public representation. If the media refuses to do its job properly, if it compromises its independence and integrity for fear of coming into conflict with the state, then there is an onus on those who claim to represent us to make a loud enough case so that the issues that matter cannot be brushed aside and ignored.
If this is the foundation of the post-1998 'justice' system in the occupied six counties then it is beyond what is acceptable by even the most minimal democratic standard. The fact of the matter is Marian's imprisonment is not only undemocratic, it is illegal. Yet despite the best efforts of those who campaign tirelessly on her behalf to expose all of this nothing ever seems to change, it seems as though we're banging our heads of a brick wall. And all while those republicans with real political influence, in those positions of power mentioned above, seem like they're just playing to the gallery.
If only the likes of Nuala Perry and the others who work so hard alongside her had access to the kind of power readily available to former comrades of Marian's such as Gerry Kelly or Martin McGuinness - no way in hell would she have been in prison for two weeks never mind two years. Despite a few Council resolutions, and the odd call for her release at a party Ard Fheis here and there, for all our political representatives really seem to care Marian Price could spend another two years interned by the British, then another two, then another. At least that's how it appears, because actions speak louder than words and the one thing we've yet to see here is action.
We can call for Marian's release 'till we're blue in the face, we can burn the candle at both ends behind the scenes, we can pass resolution after resolution after resolution. But it's there for all to see that the Brits simply don't care, they're determined to carry on regardless. Because there's no real compunction for them to seriously address this situation, there's no political pressure of significance being applied to make them seriously reconsider their actions. Is this something we as a society should be prepared to tolerate? What kind of a political system is this when it accepts the silencing of political opponents and buries away reality to keep up the pretence that all is well and normal?
Not one we should feel obliged to give any allegiance to, that's for sure.
I feel if Sinn Fein, both as the largest Nationalist party and as a constituent element of the government here, really believed the situation to be as serious as they say then a much stronger course of action would be pursued, just as we saw upon the arrest of Padraig Wilson. We would see the full exercise of their power for to bring about justice. Imagine the spectacle of Martin McGuinness using his position as Joint-First Minister to draw awareness to Marian's plight; imagine if Gerry Kelly offered to resign his seat in protest at the continuing failure of the state to resolve the unjust situation relating to the imprisonment of a one-time comrade; imagine if Sinn Fein said it would resign all its seats if this was not dealt with immediately because it could not in all conscience continue to prop up a regime that regards internment as a viable policy to deal with political opponents.
The fact that Marian Price or internment does not feature in the conversations between the First and Deputy-First Ministers regarding the 'roadmap' for the way ahead tells its own story. But what kind of 'shared future' is it anyway if it has at the level of its foundation an innocent woman being held without charge or trial for years on end against even the most basic concept of justice?
Whether it's 1971 or 2013 internment is wrong and an indictment on any society that claims to be 'normal'. Because there is nothing normal about internment, there is nothing normal about what is happening to Marian Price.
The politicians at Stormont would do well to remember they are supposedly there to represent us all, regardless of political persuasion. After all in any fair society both human and civil rights should be universal and not selective. If some of those aptly named 'folks on the hill' had the courage of their private convictions they'd be pressing for an immediate, unconditional resolution to this sad, sad situation and they would not take no for an answer. That they can't or won't do so invites accusations that they just don't care. Do they care? At times its very hard to know. What's for sure is that, just like the media, their continuing silence can rightly be considered as complicity whether they choose to accept this or not, whether they do genuinely care or not. By choosing to effectively ignore all that's happening, despite being in full possession of the facts, by continuing to prop up a system that interns and tortures and victimises the likes of Marian Price, then they share in the guilt of the state that has brought all this about. They would do well to remember the famous words of Martin Niemoiller in his poem 'First they came' - for God only knows where this will end. The likes of Marian Price, Gerry McGeough, Martin Corey and Tony Taylor may be among the first but it's unlikely they'll be the last if Britain is allowed to roll out its modern version of internment unopposed.
Somewhere along the line our representatives must decide are they prepared to tolerate this, to stand still for this; somewhere along the line Sinn Fein and the SDLP are going to have to decide where it is they stand - for a role in government at all costs or for human rights and justice no matter the consequences.
We have to remember - we must never forget - that Marian Price, this true and unstinting republican who never once in all her long years of struggle let us down, is in there for us. She could easily have walked away from this fight years ago and no-one would ever have suggested she'd let anyone down or failed to play her part. But she didn't; she played her part and more. She continued to stand up for the oppressed people of Ireland, those 'wretched of the earth'. She continued to give voice to their rightful demands for freedom, justice and peace. And so we must be out there for her.
It's incumbent on us all that from this day on we do more, that we renew and redouble our efforts to draw attention to this shameful situation and put yet more pressure on those with political power or influence to demand that something is done, to demand and to secure the release of our comrade. We know what her response would be if this were done to you or I because ultimately and at the end of the day, no matter how iconic the name, no matter how high she may be held in our esteem, Marian Price, our very own Aung San Suu Kyi, remains and will always be simply 'one of us'.
Marian Price first entered my consciousness many years ago when I heard the famous ballad Bring them home, probably on a cassette stored in my Father's private collection, supposedly kept away from young, prying eyes along with political memorabilia from the Hungerstrikes of 1981 and wood-crafts made by my Mum's brother during time spent in Long Kesh in the 70's. I think it may have been the Wolfe Tones who recorded it though I don't recall for sure. For a young, inquisitive soul such as myself 'the tapes' wouldn't stay hidden for long and thus my parent's best efforts to keep at a remove from their first-born the terrible political events afflicting our country came to nothing as I heard for the first time the powerful message that "the IRA will set them free!" It was a poignant but inspiring song written of Marian and her sister Dolours, two women forever known in the republican lexicon as 'the Price sisters', two women I immediately developed an affinity for along with the cause they served so well. But who would ever have thought that all these years later we would be calling yet again for the release of one of those poor, long-suffering women from the wretched gaols of England?
721 days and counting...
Incredible as it may seem Marian Price has now spent two full years effectively interned by the British state. What's worse is there is no end in sight to her terrible ordeal. What questions does this ask of us as a society, especially given that we have supposedly entered a new era where the conflict of the past can be resolved through the political process? What does it say about that process itself given that a woman can be held in this manner without recourse to natural justice while those who administer the state fail or refuse to take onboard the gravity of the situation? These are serious questions to be reflected on if our imperfect peace is to prove sustainable rather than for a new generation of Irish men and women to form the opinion that there's no recourse but to lift the gun to once more "set them free". Level-headed people will agree that this is the last thing we need but while Marian Price remains imprisoned against all principles of natural justice then it becomes harder to argue otherwise.
So what kind of society and what kind of political system is this where those like Marian are taken out of circulation on the say-so of a colonial overlord and his faceless spooks, to be locked up without appeal to anything resembling justice? Marian Price is being interned because she has been deemed a threat to the Stormont status quo and as such is to be silenced - just as Gerry McGeough and Martin Corey were silenced in the same manner by those who continue to control Ireland. Martin of course remains imprisoned to this very day, over three years since first they came for him; Gerry thankfully is at home now with his wife and children but not before time.
It should be glaringly obvious that this is unacceptable. It's surely as plain as day that we continue to live in a warped society despite protestations to the contrary that things have moved on and we're living in a 'new dispensation'. The illegal imprisonment of Marian Price, among other things, tells us different. It tells us that when you scratch the surface of the seemingly reformed Northern Ireland state it remains overtly capable of the same repression against those it considers hostile to its aims and objectives. It's fine to use political means to further your goals but only so long as they remain consistent with those of the state. And that is a fundamental wrong and contravenes even the most basic of civil rights.
We rarely hear mention of Marian's plight in the mainstream media, it's as if someone doesn't want us to know just what's going on. But wait a minute, when you stop and think about it they don't! Control of the media is one of the most powerful weapon's in the state's arsenal - a compliant media prepared to tolerate and ignore injustice is a God-send for those who carry out or abide repressive acts such as the ongoing isolation and torture of Marian Price.
Given the distinct lack of attention paid in the mainstream media to the legal processes involving both Brian Shivers, who returned to Roe House to shouts of "innocent man on the wing" despite having his conviction quashed but thankfully has been found innocent of all charges and finally set free this afternoon, and the so-called 'Craigavon Two', who's case, now under appeal, has drawn comparisons to the notorious convictions of the Birmingham Six and the Guildford Four, we can determine that the state has an interest in limiting knowledge about what goes on inside our society where required to further its own corrupt ends.
It's high time those in positions of power spoke out to smash this media blackout and to challenge the very injustices once so rigorously opposed and condemned in the past, particularly after the damning vindication today of Brian Shivers, who in all likelihood has had years taken of his life by his experience of the British 'justice' system. Party politics just can't come into such an important aspect of public representation. If the media refuses to do its job properly, if it compromises its independence and integrity for fear of coming into conflict with the state, then there is an onus on those who claim to represent us to make a loud enough case so that the issues that matter cannot be brushed aside and ignored.
If this is the foundation of the post-1998 'justice' system in the occupied six counties then it is beyond what is acceptable by even the most minimal democratic standard. The fact of the matter is Marian's imprisonment is not only undemocratic, it is illegal. Yet despite the best efforts of those who campaign tirelessly on her behalf to expose all of this nothing ever seems to change, it seems as though we're banging our heads of a brick wall. And all while those republicans with real political influence, in those positions of power mentioned above, seem like they're just playing to the gallery.
If only the likes of Nuala Perry and the others who work so hard alongside her had access to the kind of power readily available to former comrades of Marian's such as Gerry Kelly or Martin McGuinness - no way in hell would she have been in prison for two weeks never mind two years. Despite a few Council resolutions, and the odd call for her release at a party Ard Fheis here and there, for all our political representatives really seem to care Marian Price could spend another two years interned by the British, then another two, then another. At least that's how it appears, because actions speak louder than words and the one thing we've yet to see here is action.
We can call for Marian's release 'till we're blue in the face, we can burn the candle at both ends behind the scenes, we can pass resolution after resolution after resolution. But it's there for all to see that the Brits simply don't care, they're determined to carry on regardless. Because there's no real compunction for them to seriously address this situation, there's no political pressure of significance being applied to make them seriously reconsider their actions. Is this something we as a society should be prepared to tolerate? What kind of a political system is this when it accepts the silencing of political opponents and buries away reality to keep up the pretence that all is well and normal?
Not one we should feel obliged to give any allegiance to, that's for sure.
I feel if Sinn Fein, both as the largest Nationalist party and as a constituent element of the government here, really believed the situation to be as serious as they say then a much stronger course of action would be pursued, just as we saw upon the arrest of Padraig Wilson. We would see the full exercise of their power for to bring about justice. Imagine the spectacle of Martin McGuinness using his position as Joint-First Minister to draw awareness to Marian's plight; imagine if Gerry Kelly offered to resign his seat in protest at the continuing failure of the state to resolve the unjust situation relating to the imprisonment of a one-time comrade; imagine if Sinn Fein said it would resign all its seats if this was not dealt with immediately because it could not in all conscience continue to prop up a regime that regards internment as a viable policy to deal with political opponents.
The fact that Marian Price or internment does not feature in the conversations between the First and Deputy-First Ministers regarding the 'roadmap' for the way ahead tells its own story. But what kind of 'shared future' is it anyway if it has at the level of its foundation an innocent woman being held without charge or trial for years on end against even the most basic concept of justice?
Whether it's 1971 or 2013 internment is wrong and an indictment on any society that claims to be 'normal'. Because there is nothing normal about internment, there is nothing normal about what is happening to Marian Price.
The politicians at Stormont would do well to remember they are supposedly there to represent us all, regardless of political persuasion. After all in any fair society both human and civil rights should be universal and not selective. If some of those aptly named 'folks on the hill' had the courage of their private convictions they'd be pressing for an immediate, unconditional resolution to this sad, sad situation and they would not take no for an answer. That they can't or won't do so invites accusations that they just don't care. Do they care? At times its very hard to know. What's for sure is that, just like the media, their continuing silence can rightly be considered as complicity whether they choose to accept this or not, whether they do genuinely care or not. By choosing to effectively ignore all that's happening, despite being in full possession of the facts, by continuing to prop up a system that interns and tortures and victimises the likes of Marian Price, then they share in the guilt of the state that has brought all this about. They would do well to remember the famous words of Martin Niemoiller in his poem 'First they came' - for God only knows where this will end. The likes of Marian Price, Gerry McGeough, Martin Corey and Tony Taylor may be among the first but it's unlikely they'll be the last if Britain is allowed to roll out its modern version of internment unopposed.
Somewhere along the line our representatives must decide are they prepared to tolerate this, to stand still for this; somewhere along the line Sinn Fein and the SDLP are going to have to decide where it is they stand - for a role in government at all costs or for human rights and justice no matter the consequences.
We have to remember - we must never forget - that Marian Price, this true and unstinting republican who never once in all her long years of struggle let us down, is in there for us. She could easily have walked away from this fight years ago and no-one would ever have suggested she'd let anyone down or failed to play her part. But she didn't; she played her part and more. She continued to stand up for the oppressed people of Ireland, those 'wretched of the earth'. She continued to give voice to their rightful demands for freedom, justice and peace. And so we must be out there for her.
It's incumbent on us all that from this day on we do more, that we renew and redouble our efforts to draw attention to this shameful situation and put yet more pressure on those with political power or influence to demand that something is done, to demand and to secure the release of our comrade. We know what her response would be if this were done to you or I because ultimately and at the end of the day, no matter how iconic the name, no matter how high she may be held in our esteem, Marian Price, our very own Aung San Suu Kyi, remains and will always be simply 'one of us'.
From Free Marian Price Now!
A Chairde,
a new mural for Marian has been painted on the International Wall on the Falls Road in Belfast.
A Chairde,
a new mural for Marian has been painted on the International Wall on the Falls Road in Belfast.
Wednesday, 20 February 2013
Priority Questions
Northern Ireland Issues
5. Deputy Clare Daly (Ind) asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he has taken in his dealings with the Northern Ireland and British authorities to highlight the wide-spread concern that exists in relation to persons (details supplied) being in prison without knowing the charges against them and without an open trial.
Deputy Eamon Gilmore (Lab): I am very aware of the cases to which the Deputy refers and my officials monitor these and other cases very closely. The first individual referred to has been detained since 13 May 2011, following the revocation of her life licence by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Genuine concerns about several aspects of this case have been raised by Deputies on many occasions, and I have raised them very frankly with the British Government, most recently when I met the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on Monday, 11 February. I have been advised that the Parole Commissioners for Northern Ireland will determine in March on the issue of her continued detention.
In relation to the second individual referred to, the British authorities have confirmed that he was released under licence in 1992. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland revoked that licence in April 2010 and the individual, has as a result, been in custody for the past two years and nine months. I understand that an appeal on the case will be heard by the Supreme Court in Belfast shortly. As the case is the subject of an ongoing legal process, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.
Deputy Clare Daly: I appreciate that the Tánaiste has raised those matters but all of us need to do more. We were among a cross-party delegation that went to Maghaberry Prison where we visited both Martin Corey and Marian Price in recent weeks. The health of Marian Price in particular is a cause of grave concern. We all have a role in putting pressure, not just on the British authorities but also on the Northern Ireland Administration. Deputy O’Sullivan is correct; the Minister, Mr. Ford, could release the two individuals on compassionate grounds at the stroke of a pen.
The issue is a serious one. I am shocked that the media have not taken it up to a greater extent. The cases involve two people who have been in prison for almost two and three years, respectively. They do not know the charges against them. Their solicitors are not entitled to the evidence against them. In the case of Marian Price’s parole commission hearing, a representative is being appointed on her behalf to represent her. This is a person she cannot meet, who cannot discuss matters with her or talk to her. This person will attend her hearing, which will be held behind closed doors, which she herself is not allowed to attend. If that was taking place in a tin-pot African dictatorship, we would be banging our drums demanding justice. It is happening on this island and it is absolutely unlawful and disgraceful. I echo the point made previously on whether we can get an official from the southern Government to be a public voice at the hearing. Could we demand that the case is held in public and that Marian Price and her solicitor could attend? Could we begin to address the issues in the broader European Union community because it is a serious erosion of human rights?
Deputy Eamon Gilmore: Two cases were referred to in the question. In one case a Supreme Court case is shortly to be held on it so I cannot say anything much further in that regard.
In the second case the individual was sentenced to two life terms of imprisonment – 20 years imprisonment to run concurrently. In March 1975 the individual concerned was transferred from prison in England to Armagh Prison. On 30 April she was released from Armagh on humanitarian grounds. The release was on licence and the licence was then revoked on 15 May 2011 by the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. An issue arose about the terms of the revocation. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Office inform us that the parole commissioners considered the terms of the royal prerogative of mercy after receiving submissions on behalf of the prisoner, that the Secretary of State ruled that the life sentences were not remitted by the royal prerogative of mercy, and that the individual remained subject to the life sentence.
The prevailing policy within prisons themselves is a devolved matter which is the responsibility of the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Prison Service is an executive agency of the Department and the Police Service of Northern Ireland. I have received a briefing on the assessment of the parliamentary delegation which visited Maghaberry Prison. My officials are monitoring the situation closely. It is the subject of discussion between the Secretary of State and I and between officials of my Department and corresponding officials in the Northern Ireland Office. That will continue to be the case. I am very much aware of what is going on.
Deputy Clare Daly: If people have done something wrong and have broken the law, they should of course be brought to justice and to trial. This is the opposite case where people are imprisoned for a period of years whose cases have been heard in open court. They have been found to have no case to answer and then secret evidence has been introduced behind closed doors. That is a fundamental attack on human rights and civil rights for everyone in Irish society and beyond.
We do not know that the royal pardon did not cover the sentences because the official excuse is that the pardon has gone missing. Therefore, how do we know what was specified in it?
Why does Martin Corey have to go to the Supreme Court? An open court has already said he has no case to answer. These are serious matters. It is 41 years since Bloody Sunday when people marched against internment. Now there is a new Administration and a new power structure but people are in prison who do not know the reason they are there. The Northern Ireland Minister for Justice could release those two people at the stroke of a pen. I hope that when we have next month’s ministerial Question Time, we do not have to raise the two cases in question because if Marian Price is not released soon on compassionate grounds, given her ill health, it will lead to a seriously destabilising situation in the North for the foreseeable future.
Deputy Eamon Gilmore: In one case, as I said, there will be a Supreme Court hearing and my information is that it is due to be held shortly. A date was set for it earlier in the month but the hearing was not held on that date. I understand a new date will be set for it shortly.
My understanding is that the parole commissioners will hear the Marian Price case in early March. Three dates have been indicated to me as to when the case will be held and it has been indicated to us that there will be a decision shortly after that. Clearly, we cannot prejudge what that decision is likely to be and I will certainly be keeping a very close watch on what is happening and my officials will be doing that on my behalf.
Other Questions
Northern Ireland Issues
9. Deputy Gerry Adams (SF) asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the various legal proceedings currently being taken by persons (details supplied) to set aside the indeterminate sentence being imposed on them by the British Secretary of State, Ms Theresa Villiers, without access to judicial proceedings in which they can see, hear and challenge the evidence against them; and if he has expressed his abhorrence of the denial of fair judicial procedure to these two Irish citizens
29. Deputy Mick Wallace (Ind) asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of the fact that Marian Price has been interned without trial for a period of nearly two years, if he will consider raising the matter at a European level; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
30. Deputy Frank Feighan (FG) asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the Marian Price case; and the action he is taking to advance the case
33. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh (SF) asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the deterioration of the physical and mental health of a person (details supplied); his views on their prison conditions; and if he has discussed them with British Secretary of State, Theresa Villiers.
63. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan (Ind) asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Office and the Secretary of State with regard to Marian Price; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
66. Deputy Damien English (FG) asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Stormont Assembly Minister, David Ford, denied until the last minute compassionate parole to persons (details supplied); if he will raise with Minister Ford at their next meeting the need to address compassionately requests from both in view of the limbo position in which they have been placed, having being neither charged with an offence, nor given a release date, granted bail or seeing the evidence against them; and his views on a royal pardon issued to one of the persons in the 1970s being conveniently misplaced.
67. Deputy Martin Ferris (SF) asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised with the British authorities the continued detention-internment without trial of two Irish citizens (details supplied) in prison; and if he has demanded their immediate release.
Deputy Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 29, 30, 33, 63, 66 and 67 together.
I am very aware of the cases to which the Deputy refers and my officials monitor these and other cases very closely. The first individual referred to has been detained since 13 May 2011 following the revocation of her life licence by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Genuine concerns about several aspects of this case have been raised by Members on many occasions, and I have raised them very frankly with the British Government, most recently when I met the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland last Monday, 11 February. I have been advised that the parole commissioners will determine in March on the issue of her continued detention.
In relation to the second individual referred to, the British authorities have confirmed that he was released under licence in 1992. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland revoked that licence in April 2010 and the individual has as a result been in custody for the past two years and nine months. I understand an appeal in relation to the case will be heard by the Supreme Court in Belfast shortly. As the case is the subject of an ongoing legal process, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.
Deputy Seán Crowe: There has been some discussion of this but I want to add a few points. The nature of these cases involves unseen and unknown evidence, so it is difficult for people to defend themselves when they do not know what evidence has been presented against them. The common denominator is the involvement of shadowy figures in the background from MI5 and MI6 who are not friends of the Irish peace process. The Minister said he would get the report of the delegation that visited Marian Price. That delegation has stated that her health is getting worse and we know she is only allowed to exercise in a corridor late at night, with no access to the fresh air or the environment. She is also concerned that there is talk of closing the wing she is on and returning her to what she described as the dungeon. She said that part of the problem with the dungeon was that she was refused access to medication. The Red Cross has been refused access to Hydebank where she is being held. Will the Minister raise that with the British Government?
Deputy Eamon Gilmore: I have already brought to the attention of the Secretary of State the previous visit that was undertaken by a group of Oireachtas Members whom I subsequently met and whose report and assessment I was given. On a continuing basis, we have raised with the Minister for Justice in the Northern Ireland Executive the conditions in which Ms Price is being held. The immediate focus is on the hearing by the parole commissioners that is due in early March.
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