Prison opportunity allowed to slip
By Marcas Mac Ruairí
AS three republican prisoners are brought back to Ireland from
prisons in England, the NIO has announced that prisoners are to
benefit from ten days parole at Christmas.
Pat Hayes from London is serving 30 years, Vincent Wood from Mayo
22 years and Denis Kinsella from Dublin 35 years were brought to
Port Laoise yesterday.
Sinn Féin's spokesperson on prison issues, Belfast City
Councillor, Michael Brown, has described the moves as minimalist.
He said: ``While we will welcome any initiative which improves
conditions for prisoners and their families, this week's
developments must be placed in their proper perspective.
``For too long the British Government has attempted to give the
impression of movement on prison issues. However, their approach
to date has in the main been purely cosmetic. What is required as
a matter of urgency at this point is serious action.
``At this stage of the peace process there is a growing anger and
resentment that the British Government have not fully extended
their own transfer policy to Irish political prisoners in English
jails and that movement with regard to the release of political
prisoners would seemingly be as far away as ever.
``By the very fact that they are cosmetically tinkering with
prison related matters it would appear that British Government
ministers are fully aware of expectations with regard to
political prisoners.
``If the British Government is interested in demonstrating its
good faith they can begin immediately by transferring all Irish
political prisoners to jails in this country. If they wish to
address prison related issues in a manner which will impact
positively on the peace process they will address the release
issue in a constructive fashion.
Adding Saoirse's voice to Sinn Féin's concerns, Chairperson
Eoghan Mac Cormaic commented: ``Short term paroles and transfers
are no substitute for releases.''
He called for families and friends of prisoners to support the
December activities for the release of all political prisoners.